The first round of the Candidates saw wins from three underdogs. The fourth match had a bizarre technical malfunction that turned it 180 degrees. The first finish came in Topalov (Elo 2775) Vs Kamsky (2732). The Bulgarian GM was heavily favoured due to a more impressive career record and a much higher rating.
But their previous match encounter (Sofia 2009) was close with Topa just scraping through. This time, it was Kamsky’s turn. Topalov lost Game 2. In Game 4, in a “must-win” situation, Topalov reached a winning position and promptly blundered to allow a draw. Upset number one.
The second winner was Boris Gelfand (2733), who beat Shakhriyar Mamedaryov (2773) convincingly. Gelfand gave a fantastic exhibition of cold-blooded defence to take Game 3, and draw Game 4, to register upset number two.
Kramnik (2785) Vs Radjabov (2744) and Aronian (2808) Vs Grischuk (2747) went to tiebreakers. Aronian had pressure throughout and missed a clear win in Game 1. In the rapids, Grischuk won the first, Aronian equalised in the second, and the third was drawn. In Game 4, Grischuk finally forged ahead for upset number three.
Kramnik Radjabov saw a sequence of four draws, followed by four more draws in the rapids. In blitz, the format was up to five sets of two game mini-matches, at 5 minutes plus 3 seconds increment per move. Game 1, Mini-match 1 was won by Radjabov.
In Game 2, after 60 moves, it was drawish, with approx 15 seconds on each clock. Suddenly, the clocks went kaput and reset to zero, with Kramnik on move! There was a 13 minute time-out before a new clock was set up.
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Obviously both players “blind” analysed as they waited. Kramnik “saw” a diabolical trap, and on resumption, Radjabov fell for it. A shocked Radjabov lost the next game (Game 1, Mini-match 2) and then allowed a perpetual (Game 2, Minimatch 2). The semis resume this weekend. Kamsky-Gelfand have matched Elos, Kramnik outguns Grischuk.
In the Diagram, WHITE TO PLAY, (Mamedaryov Vs Gelfand, Game 3, Kazan Candidates 2011), White is about to blast through to h7. But 20...Rxc3! Stops Bd4 and buries Bb3. 21.bxc3 Qxc3 22.Rd4?! a5!
White doesn’t want the passive 22.Bd4 Qxh3 23.Rxh3 a5 24.c3 Ne4 or 22.fxe6 Bxe6 23.Qf3 Ne4 but this looks worse. Play went 23.Rd3 Qc6 24.c3 a4 25.Bc2 e5 26.Bg5 b4 27.Qh4 bxc3 28.Rh3 Kg8! Grace under pressure 29.Bxf6 Bxf6 30.Qxh7+ Kf8 is winning for black.
The defensive theme is to ensure king-safety and roll the pawns after 29.Re1 e4 30.g4 Kf8 31.Be3 Qc4 32.g5 Bxf5! 33.gxf6 Bxf6 34.Qh5 Bg6!? An unusual material balance — the rook is helpless after 35.Qg4 Qxa2 36.Bb1 Qc4 37.Qg2 a3 38.Ba2 Qc6 39.Rg3 Rb8 (0-1). White is simply smothered and gives up.
Devangshu Datta is an internationally-rated chess and correspondence chess player
