World Cup live: twee remisesWorld Cup live: two draws

The first games of the World Cup's semi-finals have both ended in a draw. Shirov tried his luck with 6.Bg5 against Karjakin's Najdorf, and at first didn't have to be unsatisfied. His knights were keeping Black's queenside on hold and so he could think about a careful try for a win. Carlsen showed a versatile repertoire and against Kamsky he opted for the Scotch. His rare 5.Nxc6 (after 5...Bc5) doesn't look that frightening for the American. Correction: 5.Nxc6 is perfectly normal of course and almost always answered by 5...Qf6. Kamsky's 5...bxc6 is rare.

Here the live reporting during the games:

12:40 | In Carlsen-Kamsky the queens have been exchanged and this game might well end in a draw soon. But who knows, White's structure is slightly better so perhaps he'll give it a try.

12:50 | I have the feeling Black is quite comfortable actually, in Carlsen-Kamsky. Vishy Anand, who drew his game against Wojtaszek already and for a moment sits next to me behind a laptop, also thinks so. :)

12:57 | After Shirov's Re1-f1, Karjakin went for a long think now.

13:14 | After 20 moves, Carlsen's pieces look a bit clumsy. Black is more than comfortable now.

13:38 | ...but with White's b3-b4! all clumsyness was gone and so were anybody's winning chances. Carlsen-Kamsky draw.

13:49 | Karjakin's long thought paid of because he did find a way to break White's bind on the queenside. The line that starts with 22.Bxd6 now leads to a very drawish endgame by force.

14:00 | This line was played indeed. Again, it won't take long anymore, I guess.

14:13 | It has become a rook ending that's not so dull as I expected. But still drawish.

14:21 | The players have made move 40. A logical line is 41. Kb5 Ke5 42. c4 bxc3 43. Rxc3 f4 44. gxf4+ Kxf4 which is a draw.

14:24 | After 41...Ke5 the players already shook hands. Shirov-Karjakin also drawn.