The everything CHESS thread

[FireGilbert]

I really should take a break and review every game but get into a routine of needing to redeem myself after a loss or chase the thrill after a win. Will go back and review some of the crazy games or learn some new lines if there is an opening I struggled with.

[bomber317]

My boys entered their first chess tournament on the weekend run by Chess minds.

Beginner bracket. oldest had 3 wins in 6 matches, and youngest had 1 1/2 wins in 6 matches. Seemed well organized, and they emphasized it is ok to lose, have some fun, and learn.

They had lots of fun, and they wanted some chess books to read up on. They also asked for a Chess clock which was somewhat surprising to me.

[FireGilbert]

Anyone following the World Chess Championship? Have to think Gukesh will win easily but maybe Ding has done some great prep.

Crazy both players aren’t even the highest ranked from their own countries.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Anyone following the World Chess Championship? Have to think Gukesh will win easily but maybe Ding has done some great prep.

Crazy both players aren’t even the highest ranked from their own countries.

Ill follow the recaps. Normally I love watching live but signapor is too far away!

[TheIronMaiden]

Ding wins with Black!

[FireGilbert]

I watched a bit. Ding definitely had some great prep surprising with a French defence. Did look to be in trouble early using a lot of time but recovered. The turning point was Gukesh making a capture with a knight when it turned out he should have used the bishop that later was needed to defend a backwards pawn. Even the commentator Danya thought the Knight capture was best and got frustrated with the engine calling it questionable. Chess is hard.

Anyone play the French? I’ve tried and never got the hang of it. You end up with similar structures to the Caro but it’s tougher to develop the bishop. Have run into trouble facing it as white though.

[mrkajz44]

Wild game 1 - with the huge time advantage Gukesh threw it away and probably messed up the queen before bishop move near the end where Ding took the decisive lead and never let go. Makes me feel better when I suddenly realize I have 20 seconds left and haven't been managing my time at all.

I would have wished Ding went a little harder in game 2 to really put the pressure on, but both sides seemed happy with the draw, so it was probably going to be hard to avoid.

[FireGilbert]

I’m amazed at how they can maintain focus over these long games. The longest I can handle playing is 30+0 and even then I regularly lose concentration and do something stupid.

[TheIronMaiden]

Gukesh returns the favor. 2 out of 3 games with decisive finishes. It's going to be a wild world championship.

[FireGilbert]

How do you flag with 2 hours to make 40 moves? Ding gets his bishop trapped and his poor time management cost him any shot at a draw. Must have thought he would get 3 pawns for the bishop but Gukesh played it perfectly and he only got 2. See if you can spot the crushing tactic Gukesh would have had if the game hadn’t ended.

[mrkajz44]

Another weird one - Ding gets into time trouble again, but then it looks like game 1 again where he starts playing fast and well. He tanks on time again but makes the wrong move out of it 18...Rh5?!, and the game fell apart after that. Wondering if Ding had found the right move when he used up so much time if the whole thing ends different, even with the time discrepancy.

Love this comment from Gukesh about when Ding was turning it around, but the players obviously could not tell:

During the game we both thought that White is doing well, which is all that matters... It’s obviously not pleasant to misjudge a position so badly, but OK, as long as I played better than the opponent I think it’s good.

"I was playing bad according to the computer? Oh well, that's not what we were thinking"

[TheIronMaiden]

Feels to me both players are on the brink of playing some very daring chess. but for now keeping the games drawish is favorable.

We just crested the half way point. I think we start to see some of their deeper analysis soon.

[mrkajz44]

I'm only watching the recaps by Gotham, but Ding's time management is still giving me extreme anxiety. I guess it's working out for him generally so far, but he's 30-45 minutes down on the clock in pretty much every game before move 20. Wild.

[FireGilbert]

I was up til midnight watching the game yesterday. Was very intense and easily the most exciting game so far. Gukesh had a couple solid advantages but they required engine moves that would be challenging for a human with low time.

Definitely was anxious for Ding approaching the 40th move and then Gukesh living off increment. One of the announcers was arguing they should have more time for the end game but I was like maybe don’t use up your entire 2 hours on 40 moves.

Hopefully game 8 is good too.

[jg13]

I have to say I am pretty shocked Ding has managed to keep the match at a draw after 7 games given the form these players have been in all year.

Huge opportunity blown for Gukesh in game 7 and now Ding has the white pieces in 4 of the remaining 7 games.

I think it goes down to the wire at this point. It's been a much better match than I think most anticipated.

[TheIronMaiden]

I really thought that the games would keep escalating, but game 9 was kind of a flat draw throughout.

5 games left, I'll be curious to see if they come out with any aggression.

[FireGilbert]

Wow huge choke from Ding blundering under time trouble. Even I could see the follow up tactic. Gukesh forces a resignation and takes a stranglehold on the championship.

[TheIronMaiden]

Wow both players trade wins with white and we are all tied up again!

[Puppet Guy]

really interesting article about a program called Chess for Life is using the game to help young offenders:


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...outh-1.7404790

[FireGilbert]

Damn what a clutch performance from Ding. Plays like an engine when his back is against the wall. Day off today then 2 more classical matches before tie breaks.