13 Oct 06
Originally posted by CrazyLilTingEveryone has lost something (eg Topalov, his fans; Los Angeles, his marbles) - except for Kramnik, who's already drawn the match with one game left to play.
The final score:
Kramnik 6 - Topalov 5 - FIDE 1
Can you guess who won?
My guess: all, except the chess fans all over the world... :'(
13 Oct 06
Originally posted by TommyCi agree with you except for one little technicality - this match can never be drawn over the board - it is designed for a winner to be found over the board.
Everyone has lost something (eg Topalov, his fans; Los Angeles, his marbles) - except for Kramnik, who's already drawn the match with one game left to play.
it is only through off board antics that this match can be drawn - in a dozen ways.
13 Oct 06
Originally posted by flexmoreYes, quite. By 'match' I meant the 12 games though, rather than the degrading penalty shoot-out we're about to see.
i agree with you except for one little technicality - this match can never be drawn over the board - it is designed for a winner to be found over the board.
it is only through off board antics that this match can be drawn - in a dozen ways.
Topalov's been moving at rapid pace so far in this match and is only a point behind. 25 minute games should suit him right now, I think. He has to be favourite.
13 Oct 06
Originally posted by TommyCLooking through the games in this championship, it did seem that Topalov is a faster player. But I'm beginning to wonder if that is actually the case. Topalov threw in novelties in the opening with home preparations, and I think Kramnik took his time to check things out. In that sense, Kramnik was using his time efficiently. Throughout the whole 12 (11) games did you see his flag fall? He made full (efficient) use of his time on the clock, which is a very wise thing to do. Topalov tried, on several occasions, to throw in complicated situations against more straight-forward moves, but Kramnik wasn't impressed. He played calmly.
Yes, quite. By 'match' I meant the 12 games though, rather than the degrading penalty shoot-out we're about to see.
Topalov's been moving at rapid pace so far in this match and is only a point behind. 25 minute games should suit him right now, I think. He has to be favourite.
But if time is limited, I am convinced that Kramnik can rise to the occasion. There is only one way to find out.... let's wait for the blitz!
13 Oct 06
Originally posted by ckoh1965Yes that seems a logical interpretation, I was thinking that he may be at a disadvantage, but you are quite correct in pointing out he used the time available to him wisely and there is no reason to assume he will not do so again, let's hope so anyway. For me Kramnik has to win to give this match a respectable ending, otherwise it's just a circus with an unworthy winner, who will not be recognized by many as the champion.
Looking through the games in this championship, it did seem that Topalov is a faster player. But I'm beginning to wonder if that is actually the case. Topalov threw in novelties in the opening with home preparations, and I think Kramnik took his time to check things out. In that sense, Kramnik was using his time efficiently. Throughout the whole 12 (11) gam ...[text shortened]... nik can rise to the occasion. There is only one way to find out.... let's wait for the blitz!
13 Oct 06
1 edit
Originally posted by ckoh1965That's true.
Looking through the games in this championship, it did seem that Topalov is a faster player. But I'm beginning to wonder if that is actually the case. Topalov threw in novelties in the opening with home preparations, and I think Kramnik took his time to check things out. In that sense, Kramnik was using his time efficiently. Throughout the whole 12 (11) gam nik can rise to the occasion. There is only one way to find out.... let's wait for the blitz!
Also, Topalov would also have been able to think about the game during Kramnik's own long thinks. That won't be so relevant in the rapids.