Candidates

Originally posted by sundown316
Anand's chances just took a big hit today in Rd. 12, he was squashed by Naka in just 26 moves.

If chess lasts for another thousand years folks will still say this was our finest hour

After 12 rounds, Caruana(who was given a gift draw by Aronian, IMO)and Karjakin are tied for first.

someone on the main site said Caruana doesn't have the tiebreaker, so he really needs to win another game 🙁

Down to the last round tomorrow, with 3 players in contention. Caruana and Karjakin, both at 7.5, will play against each other. Most likely they will agree to a quick draw. Anand, with 7 points, must win against Svidler to share 1st-3rd. He should beat Svidler, who is his "customer"(+7-0=22).

It was confirmed on the main site that Anand is eliminated via tiebreaks (I think due to heads-up record), if Caruana wins tomorrow he wins the tournament, if that game is a draw/lost then Karjakin wins.... if I had to make odds I'd say

Karjakin 85%
Caruana 15%

This is what great chess is all about, everything on the line in a must win game as black. It will probably start 1.Nf3 to go anti-grunfeld.

Basically the candidates is Karjakin's unless Caruana beats him with Black tomorrow,
so there definitely won't be a quick draw in this game!

So it is Kar vs Car to decide whether it'll be Car vs Kar, or Car vs Car 🙄

It seems to get more confusing...

if Vishy wins and Kar/Car draw, then Caruana would win the 3way tiebreak in that scenario.... so maybe Karjakin can't play for a draw from move 1 until he sees what is going on in that game... this increases Car odds massively.

This reminds me of 2013 when Kramnik narrowly missed an opportunity to deny Carlsen a shot at Vishy in the last round. Can't wait to see what nasty surprises these guys have been saving. 😀

Congrats to Sergei Karjakin, the new Challenger. Played an incredible Rook sac to beat Caruana. Championship match to be played in NYC in November, site TBD.

Originally posted by sundown316
Congrats to Sergei Karjakin, the new Challenger. Played an incredible Rook sac to beat Caruana. Championship match to be played in NYC in November, site TBD.

Originally posted by Steve45
I wanted Caruana to do it, but well done to Karjakin. Should be a great World Championship in November.

cam anyone explain to me the phenomena of the candidates utilising the English opening?

edit: Please don't bother maybe it just seemed that they were using it above others at the time but i see that its probably not the case.