Although analysts had assured that Ian Nepomniachtchi wasn't afraid of going head-to-head with Magnus Carlsen in the chess world championship, it was not apparent in his performance. The Russian challenger wrapped up a historic collapse Friday in their match in Dubai, helping Carlsen to again win the title. Carlsen clinched with his fourth victory among 11 games played in their match, the Guardian reports. The final score was 7½-3½; the last three games weren't needed. "I didn't expect it go quite like this," Carlsen, of Norway, said afterward. "I have lost some stupid games," Nepomniachtchi said, "but never so many in such a short time."

A world championship match has not been so one-sided in 100 years, when José Raúl Capablanca beat Emanuel Lasker in Havana without dropping a game. Carlsen equaled that, winning the last four out of six after the first five games ended in draws. His last three victories were mostly attributable to simple mistakes by the challenger, per the New York Times, that amounted to unforced errors. The match turned on the 136-move Game 6, which ran 7 hours, 45 minutes, making it the longest game in world championship history. The game was taxing on both players but appeared to affect Nepomniachtchi more.

"That sort of laid the foundation," Carlsen said. The match reaffirmed his place atop chess; he's been world champion for eight years now. Carlsen collected $1.2 million Friday and Nepomniachtchi $800,000. The defending champion was subdued in victory. "It is hard to feel that great joy when the situation was so comfortable to begin with," Carlsen said. Asked if this experience would help him next time, Nepomniachtchi said he hoped so, though he noted, "Experience is never easy."

Congrats to Norway. Carlsen belongs to the greatest ever, like Kasparov and Fischer. They all crushed their opponents.

A sporting event (is that the right category for chess?) I can get behind. One of the few things I have willingly spent time playing. Now, bring on Beth Harmon (yes, a fictional person, but what a great t-v show/character) as an opponent.

Playing chess is the perfect way to waste your time, unless you're very talented and ambitious.

I have the deepest respect for the chess grandmasters. This is a clip from 2011, when Magnus was 13, when he got a draw against Kasparov:

[www.youtube.com]

He even beat Karpov at a very young age.

In order to succeed at this level, they got to be paranoid sociopaths, though. There's some interesting backstory to chess masters like Bobby Fischer or Paul Morphy in the 1800s. At some point they had to give up playing because they couldn't bear the idea of being beaten. Carlsen admitted this year that when he's not playing, he's curling up on the kitchen floor in panic attacks.

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TheflyingDutchman
Playing chess is the perfect way to waste your time, unless you're very talented and ambitious.

Kinda like playing the guitar.

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Nikkei
In order to succeed at this level, they got to be paranoid sociopaths, though. There's some interesting backstory to chess masters like Bobby Fischer or Paul Morphy in the 1800s. At some point they had to give up playing because they couldn't bear the idea of being beaten. Carlsen admitted this year that when he's not playing, he's curling up on the kitchen floor in panic attacks.

At a certain age Kasparov realised he was too old to compete with the younger guys using chess engines to take more advantage. Gary wanted to beat Deep Blue but couldn't digest his loss. Bobby Fischer got off the rails due to mental issues. Comparing them is also impossible due to ELO inflation.

Who was painting the ceiling
while all this was going on ?????



ROCKMAN

-



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-12-12 01:47 by Stoneage.

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Rockman
Who was painting the ceiling
while all this was going on ?????

Muddy Waters?

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Nikkei
In order to succeed at this level, they got to be paranoid sociopaths, though. There's some interesting backstory to chess masters like Bobby Fischer or Paul Morphy in the 1800s. At some point they had to give up playing because they couldn't bear the idea of being beaten. Carlsen admitted this year that when he's not playing, he's curling up on the kitchen floor in panic attacks.

I love to win, most everyone loves winning, but is it really that intense for these guys?

Playing blindfold simultaneously is very very demanding, see Magnus below, and not recommended by specialists. Also, top chess players know how important it is to be in good physical shape. If our Dutch GM Jan Timman had lived a sportive lifestyle instead of stepping behind the board with a hangover, he might have become world champion.
He shortly was the world no 2," the best of west", behind Karpov.








Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-12-12 18:03 by TheflyingDutchman.

Is there a separate championship for men and women is it the best of whoever makes it?

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The Sicilian
Is there a separate championship for men and women is it the best of whoever makes it?

It's separate with the exception of the Hungarian Judith Polgar, the best female chess player who ranked-no9 (?) best player in the world. She competed with the male players only. She retired from professional some years ago.







Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-12-14 22:57 by TheflyingDutchman.

The chess "little" problem is the huge, enormous amount of time you MUST spend just to play with a little sense. Hours ands hours learning the basics of openings, defenses and finals. In order to just survive in a decent and nonchalant amateur game in a pub.

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emotionalbarbecue
The chess "little" problem is the huge, enormous amount of time you MUST spend just to play with a little sense. Hours ands hours learning the basics of openings, defenses and finals. In order to just survive in a decent and nonchalant amateur game in a pub.

You "must" nothing. I have been playing in chess cafe "Gambit" in Amsterdam for 10 years, external competition as well. A lot of top grandmasters came to visit the famous place because they participated at the TaTa Steel Chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee. Unfortunately they had to close down "Gambit" because the owner, a good player himself, passed away. As long as your opponents are of equal strength, or preferably a bit stronger, it's fun.


[en.chessbase.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-12-15 12:35 by TheflyingDutchman.

Magnus said yesterday that he won't defend his world champion title.

Only one player would make him change his mind: the 18 year old Iranian/Frenchman Alireza Firouzja.

Let's keep our fingers crossed for Firouzja to win the qualifying tournament!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2021-12-15 23:54 by DandelionPowderman.

Maybe BV could set up an online chess page for live matches between our members. Is it possible?

Why quit? What is he going to do instead? My advice: If you're good at something - hang on to it as long as you can. The world is not greener on the other side of the fence.

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MKjan

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TheflyingDutchman
Playing chess is the perfect way to waste your time, unless you're very talented and ambitious.

Kinda like playing the guitar.

Have been trying to play chess and guitar for most of my life ... and I am not at all talented nor ambitious ... I think this explains something ...

C

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TheflyingDutchman
... As long as your opponents are of equal strength, or preferably a bit stronger, it's fun.

So true!

C

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DandelionPowderman
Magnus said yesterday that he won't defend his world chanpion title.

Only one player would make him change his mind: the 18 year old Iranian/Frenchman Alireza Firouzja.

Let's keep our fingers crossed for Firouzja to win the qualifying tournament!

Unless he goes his own way he has to stick to the Fide rules, and face the winner of the qualifying tournament.

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liddas

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MKjan

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TheflyingDutchman
Playing chess is the perfect way to waste your time, unless you're very talented and ambitious.

Kinda like playing the guitar.

Have been trying to play chess and guitar for most of my life ... and I am not at all talented nor ambitious ... I think this explains something ...

C

The IORR confessional is open! Please continue...

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Stoneage
Why quit? What is he going to do instead? My advice: If you're good at something - hang on to it as long as you can. The world is not greener on the other side of the fence.

He'll play the other tournaments, but he doesn't think it's worth the effort anymore, playing the WC matches.

Congrats to Norway again. Magnus Carlsen won the 2022 TaTa Steel Chess Tournament in Holland for the 8th time without loosing a single game, and that's a record. Tomorrow he has a day off because his opponent has caught Covid.

[www.youtube.com]

Actually he tested positive once, and then negative twice.

And great by Magnus. Maybe his goal of reaching 2900 keeps him focused and motivated. Exiting to follow his journey toward that