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TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
Tal Memorial (Blitz) Tournament

Vasyl Ivanchuk23/33(+20 -7 =6)[games]
Vladimir Kramnik21.5/33(+16 -6 =11)[games]
Magnus Carlsen20.5/33(+16 -8 =9)[games]
Peter Svidler20/33(+14 -7 =12)[games]
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov20/33(+16 -9 =8)[games]
Peter Leko18/33(+10 -7 =16)[games]
Alexander Grischuk18/33(+14 -11 =8)[games]
Sergey Karjakin17.5/33(+14 -12 =7)[games]
Gata Kamsky16.5/33(+13 -13 =7)[games]
Boris Gelfand16.5/33(+10 -10 =13)[games]
Ruslan Ponomariov16/33(+12 -13 =8)[games]
Evgeny Alekseev14/33(+8 -13 =12)[games]
Anatoly Karpov14/33(+11 -16 =6)[games]
Alexander Morozevich14/33(+10 -15 =8)[games]
Boris Grachev13.5/33(+9 -15 =9)[games]
Sergei Movsesian11.5/33(+9 -19 =5)[games]
Pavel Eljanov11.5/33(+9 -19 =5)[games]
Vladislav Tkachiev11/33(+6 -17 =10)[games]

 page 1 of 12; games 1-25 of 297  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. B Grachev vs Ivanchuk 1-0392008Tal Memorial (Blitz)A46 Queen's Pawn Game
2. Ponomariov vs Kramnik  ½-½382008Tal Memorial (Blitz)C67 Ruy Lopez
3. Svidler vs Leko  1-0462008Tal Memorial (Blitz)C78 Ruy Lopez
4. E Alekseev vs Kamsky  1-0322008Tal Memorial (Blitz)D02 Queen's Pawn Game
5. Karjakin vs Mamedyarov  0-1362008Tal Memorial (Blitz)C96 Ruy Lopez, Closed
6. Carlsen vs Grischuk 0-1372008Tal Memorial (Blitz)D16 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav
7. Eljanov vs Morozevich  0-1312008Tal Memorial (Blitz)D38 Queen's Gambit Declined, Ragozin Variation
8. Karpov vs Gelfand 1-0442008Tal Memorial (Blitz)D30 Queen's Gambit Declined
9. Tkachiev vs Movsesian  0-1542008Tal Memorial (Blitz)B22 Sicilian, Alapin
10. Ivanchuk vs Movsesian 1-022008Tal Memorial (Blitz)B27 Sicilian
11. Gelfand vs Tkachiev  1-0442008Tal Memorial (Blitz)D20 Queen's Gambit Accepted
12. Grischuk vs Karpov  ½-½342008Tal Memorial (Blitz)E06 Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3
13. Kamsky vs Karjakin  1-0382008Tal Memorial (Blitz)D02 Queen's Pawn Game
14. Mamedyarov vs Eljanov  1-0262008Tal Memorial (Blitz)E20 Nimzo-Indian
15. Morozevich vs Carlsen  ½-½472008Tal Memorial (Blitz)C53 Giuoco Piano
16. Leko vs E Alekseev  ½-½312008Tal Memorial (Blitz)C65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense
17. Kramnik vs Svidler 0-1262008Tal Memorial (Blitz)A21 English
18. B Grachev vs Ponomariov  ½-½372008Tal Memorial (Blitz)D02 Queen's Pawn Game
19. Ponomariov vs Ivanchuk 0-1362008Tal Memorial (Blitz)C92 Ruy Lopez, Closed
20. Svidler vs B Grachev 1-0332008Tal Memorial (Blitz)B47 Sicilian, Taimanov (Bastrikov) Variation
21. E Alekseev vs Kramnik 0-1282008Tal Memorial (Blitz)D02 Queen's Pawn Game
22. Karjakin vs Leko  ½-½632008Tal Memorial (Blitz)E15 Queen's Indian
23. Eljanov vs Kamsky  1-0552008Tal Memorial (Blitz)D00 Queen's Pawn Game
24. Carlsen vs Mamedyarov 1-0832008Tal Memorial (Blitz)A11 English, Caro-Kann Defensive System
25. Karpov vs Morozevich 0-1122008Tal Memorial (Blitz)D82 Grunfeld, 4.Bf4
 page 1 of 12; games 1-25 of 297  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2)  

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 4 OF 5 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Aug-30-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  chancho: Chucky drew.
Aug-30-08  SatelliteDan: Congrat's Chuck
Aug-30-08  visayanbraindoctor: Congrats to Vassily Ivanchuk for winning the Tal blitz tournament.
Aug-30-08  SatelliteDan: Let's face it. Nothing wrong with people jumping on "he's only 17 and going to be future Chess World Champion band wagon".
Aug-30-08  Atking: Strangely fight chess but many draws in this last round. The players must be a bit tired after these two days. congrats to Ivanchuck. From Mtel his play is really impressive. Is it a come back?
Aug-30-08  visayanbraindoctor: <Atking: Strangely fight chess but many draws in this last round. The players must be a bit tired after these two days. congrats to Ivanchuck. From Mtel his play is really impressive. Is it a come back?>

It is possible that Ivanchuk may be peaking now. If he shows that same performance in the next 2 years, he is definitely at his peak. He may even have a chance at a Title shot in 2011 if his performance does not dip.

Aug-30-08  TheBB: 1. Ivanchuk 23.5
2. Kramnik 22.5
3. Carlsen 21
4. Mamedyarov, Svidler 20
6. Grischuk, Karjakin, Leko 18
9. Gelfand, Kamsky 17.5
11. Ponomariov 17
12. Grachev 14.5
13. Alekseev, Karpov, Morozevich 14
16. Eljanov, Movsesian 12.5
18. Tkachiev 11.5
Aug-30-08  malthrope: Hehehe <visayanbraindoctor> - a healthy Chucky would be really nice for all of us. To see Chucky at his very best during the next few years. :) Now, if we can just cure him of that TV addiction! ~lol~
Aug-30-08  cannibal: <visayanbraindoctor: It is possible that Ivanchuk may be peaking now. If he shows that same performance in the next 2 years, he is definitely at his peak. He may even have a chance at a Title shot in 2011 if his performance does not dip.>

He's in great form, sure, but I doubt he'll play for the world championship. He would either have to win the 2009 World Cup (possible of course, but that's not just a question of form and I wouldn't bet on it) or the Grand Prix, in which case he should really get up his ass now, because his 8th place in Sochi must not be one of the three results for the final ranking.

Aug-30-08  visayanbraindoctor: <malthrope: Hehehe <visayanbraindoctor> - a healthy Chucky would be really nice for all of us. To see Chucky at his very best during the next few years.>

There are indications that young chessplayers gradually improve their performance as they accumulate experience. Then they eventually hit a plateau, usually commensurate to their natural chess abilities and willingness to work. For some, although not all, there is a sudden peak on top of this plateau.

Chucky apparently has been on this plateau since way back in the 1990s. Apparently, he is experiencing this sudden peak. We are all fortunate to see it happening and I am hoping it will last for at least three years.

Strangely, Anand may be experiencing a similar peak after years at his plateau since the 1990s, almost exactly like Ivanchuk. Again we are fortunate to witness Anand peaking today. I hope he stays at his peak for several more years.

It's difficult to evaluate Kramnik because of his chronic illness, same as players like Tal. Kramnik may still have been improving but symptoms of his illness that started appearing in 2002 might have caused him to snag.

All the rising stars of today such as Carlsen, Karjakin, Radjabov, Wang Yue, Mamedyarov, Gashimov, etc.. are probably still rising to their plateau. Because of earlier international exposure than rising stars of the past, I believe that they are reaching their plateau earlier compared to past players.

Aug-30-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  chancho: His second place is a good result.
Much better than last year's.
Aug-30-08  visayanbraindoctor: <cannibal: <visayanbraindoctor: It is possible that Ivanchuk may be peaking now. If he shows that same performance in the next 2 years, he is definitely at his peak. He may even have a chance at a Title shot in 2011 if his performance does not dip.>

He would either have to win the 2009 World Cup (possible of course, but that's not just a question of form and I wouldn't bet on it) or the Grand Prix, in which case he should really get up his ass now>

Well, I hope big Chucky will get his ass moving in the Grand Prix. He still has a chance there, if he gets excellent results in his 3 remaining ones. This could be his last chance for a Title Shot.

Aug-30-08  Octal: I heard there where live commentaries on the Blitz games. Does anyone know if I can find videos of these? And if so, where?
Aug-30-08  SanChess: <visayanbraindoctor> I think Ivanchuk has been in very good form for the last 3 years or so. Considering his very heavy schedule of international tournaments one has to acknowledge not only his stamina but also his consistency at the top.

Regarding the 'rising' stars I also agree they can only be seen as rising in terms of their coming of age. Except for a shot at the world championship, players like Radjabov and Carlsen have already delivered the goods of promise.

The new FIDE format of elite tourneys will allow more exposure to top players who would otherwise lure into obscurity due to lack of opportunities at this level.

Aug-30-08  PinkPanther: In all likelihood, Ivanchuk is going to sink back down another 50 points or so. It's just his nature. If you remember, before the MTel tournament, he was only somewhere around 2740, after having been in the 2770's or 2780's not long before.
Aug-30-08  Marmot PFL: Ivanchuk certainly must be at or near the top of players who never became World Champion.
Aug-30-08  eremite: In spite of absence of several top players (Anand, Aronian, Topalov, Wang Yue, et al.), Vasyl has confirmed his World Blitz Champion title.
Aug-30-08  notyetagm: <visayanbraindoctor: Congrats to Vassily Ivanchuk for winning the Tal blitz tournament.>

Chucky wins again!

M-Tel Masters, Tal Memorial, Tal Memorial blitz, World #2 on the live ratings, a great year for Chucky.

Aug-30-08  notyetagm: Question: did Chucky go 13-4(!) in the second half of the tournament to win it?
Aug-30-08  offtherook: Where's Anand? I thought he was one of the top fast players... or we could throw in Nakamura instead of Kamsky as the US representative.
Aug-30-08  malthrope: <notyetagm: Question: did Chucky go 13-4(!) in the second half of the tournament to win it?>

<notyetagm> - Yes he did! ;) He was clearly in overdrive! ~lol~ Don't forget to pay your respects to Chucky on his Bio page - Vassily Ivanchuk - As I'm sure he would appreciate it! <grin> :^) - Mal

Aug-30-08  notyetagm: Black to play: 35 ... ?


click for larger view

35 ... ♖c1-h1+!!


click for larger view

Wow, what a <TACTIC> by Chucky in his critical win against Kramnik, 35 ... ♖c1-h1+!!.

36 ♔h2x♖h1 ♕c6-c1+


click for larger view

And now the point of Ivanchuk's brilliant tactical play is that 37 ♔h1-h2 to get out of check <LINES UP (ALIGNMENT)> the White h2-king with the White e5-queen for the <BISHOP FORK> 37 ... ♗h6-f4+.

(VAR) 37 ♔h1-h2 ♗h6-f4+ <fork>


click for larger view

Hence the point of Ivanchuk's 35 ... ♖c1-h1+!! is to setup the <QUEEN FORK> 36 ♕c6-c1+, which is a <DOUBLE ATTACK> in which one <TACTICAL TARGET> is the White h1-king and the second <TACTICAL TARGET> is the f4-forking square.

Chucky knows by heart that a <SQUARE> (f4-forking square) can be a <TACTICAL TARGET>.

This tactical sequence is also a great example that you must <FORCE YOUR OPPONENT TO LINE UP HIS PIECES!>. Kramnik is not simply going to <LINE UP (ALIGNMENTS, CONFIGURATIONS)> his White ♔♕ to be <FORKED> by the dark-squared Black h6-bishop, Ivanchuk -forces- him to <LINE UP> his ♔+♕ with the brilliant <ROOK DECOY> 35 ... ♖c1-h1+!!. Kramnik clearly missed this nasty tactical idea or else he would not have played the enabling 34 ♖d1-d8? in the first place.

[Event "Tal Memorial Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow RUS"]
[Date "2008.08.30"]
[Round "33"]
[White "Kramnik,V"]
[Black "Ivanchuk,V"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[EventDate "2008.08.29"]
[ECO "D93"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5 8. Rc1 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qxc5 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. O-O Qa5 12. h3 Qa6 13. e4 Rd8 14. Qe1 Nb4 15. Ne5 Be6 16. Na4 Bxb3 17. axb3 Nd3 18. Nxd3 Qxd3 19. Nc5 Qb5 20. e5 Nd5 21. Bg5 Rac8 22. b4 h6 23. e6 f5 24. Bd2 a5 25. Nd7 axb4 26. Ne5 Rxc1 27. Bxc1 Kh7 28. Nf7 Rc8 29. Qd2 b3 30. Rd1 Rc2 31. Qe1 Qc6 32. Bxh6 Bxh6 33. Qe5 Nf6 34. Rd8 Rc1+ 35. Kh2 Rh1+ 36. Kxh1 Qc1+ 37. Rd1 Qc6 38. Kg1 Qc1 39. Kh1 Qxd1+ 40. Kh2 Qd2 41. Qc5 Bf4+ 42. g3 Ne4 43. Qb6 Bxg3+ 0-1

Aug-30-08  hand banana: did anyone calculate TPR's?
yes, i know they don't really matter in blitz, but it would be interesting to check them out..
Aug-30-08  hand banana: you guys are too lazy, i had to do it myself :)
1. ivanchuk - 2873
2. kramnik - 2861
3. carlsen - 2823
4, 5 - svidler & mamedyarov 2800
.. morozevich - 2658

etc

Aug-30-08  yalie: <hand banana: you guys are too lazy, i had to do it myself :) 1. ivanchuk - 2873
2. kramnik - 2861
3. carlsen - 2823
4, 5 - svidler & mamedyarov 2800
.. morozevich - 2658

etc
>

I think there is something wrong in ur numbers. The difference between Ivanchuk and Kramnik should be greater than the difference between Kramnik and Carlsen. also did you use July FIDE ratings?

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