Chess World Championship 2018 (updates/spoilers)

[Insidious]

Doesn't really matter all that much what colour you play if you're off form. He'll have to be at his best to get a singe W, let alone win the match. Caruana is as good as him in endgames, so if he's to win a game, it'll have to be with plenty of pieces left on the board in the early middle game, just after they've left their homework area.

Seriously thought Caruana would win that match today - he had such an edge apparently if he'd have managed to shift the Knight Magnus had - will enjoy Agadmator's analysis no doubt but it looked like Magnus had over-reached with those Kingside pawns for sure.

[Balinkay]

I watched chess24's excellent live and analysis of the game. Sesse was givig +2 at some point (right before h3 I think). Magnus was dead and burried.

Can't recommend chess24's coverage enough though - Svidler + Grishckuk + Sopiko / Anish = profit.

[Insidious]

11. Draws.

Barmy.

[Balinkay]

It was a poor choice by Magnus to go for such a boring draw. Fabi has white and he'll probably pull something new / interesting out of the hat. Can't wait.

[Insidious]

It was a poor choice by Magnus to go for such a boring draw. Fabi has white and he'll probably pull something new / interesting out of the hat. Can't wait.

Grischuk seems to think that Caruana's Rh2 on move 21 is pretty interesting, but I've not got the know-how to interpret why - no doubt Agadmator will explain.

[Balinkay]

Fuck me - 12 draws.

Let's see if Magnus can pull it off in the tiebreaks.

[Insidious]

Fuck me - 12 draws.

Let's see if Magnus can pull it off in the tiebreaks.

Surprised Carlsen offered the draw as the Supercomputers apparently had him as being in a pretty advantageous position.

Carlsen's the favourite for the Rapid/Blitz stuff you'd think.

[Balinkay]

He was at +1, so nothing to scoff at. This is the supercomputer: http://analysis.sesse.net/ .

However, as Svidler and Giri pointed out, it might be that for a human it's impossible to say they're truly better here and push. Especially in this situation.

[Balinkay]

Magnus wins the tiebreaks 3-0. Some serious dick swinging there.

[Insidious]

Magnus wins the tiebreaks 3-0. Some serious dick swinging there.

Caruana needed to do it in Classical.

Well done Magnus.

[Balinkay]

Seems like Alpha Zero has once again smashed Stockfish 9 in a 1000-game match. Something like 165-6, the rest draws.

Painful.

Kasparov seems particularly happy, since Alpha's style is, at least according to him, a lot more "human" than conventional engines. You can sort of "understand" why it's doing what it does, at least visually.