Well, Round 11 is in the books, and here are the standings:
1. Caruana (USA) - 6.5/11
2. Anand (IND) - 6.5/11
3. Karjakin (RUS) - 6/11
4. Giri (BEL) - 5.5/11
5. Aronian (ARM) - 5.5/11
6. Svidler (RUS) - 5.5/11
7. Nakamura (USA) - 4.5/11
8. Topalov (BUL) - 4/11
In Round 11, Svidler (playing as Black) beat Aronian, which is stunning for a couple of reasons - not only was Aronian contending for the lead, this was only the second match in the tournament (out of 44) in which Black beat White. Anand (White) beat Karjakin (Black), allowing Vishy to move past Karjakin (who was leading after Round 10). Caruana and Nakamura both drew as Black (kind of like holding your serve in Tennis).
Essentially, it would be a stunner if anyone other than Caruana or Anand won the tournament. Karjakin still has a match against Caruana, with Karjakin playing White. If Karjakin wins that outright, it will be very difficult for Caruana to win. If Caruana draws, he'll be in a very good position to win, especially if he gets a win in one of his other two remaining matches (both as White, against Svidler and Aronian). Vishy Anand (the World Champion from 2000-2002 and 2007-2013) needs Karjakin to beat Caruana, as Caruana holds the tiebreaker over Anand (Caruana beat him and drew against him), but Anand holds the tiebreaker over Karjakin. Karjakin could sneak in, but it would take luck.
As of right now, Caruana has probably a 50-60% chance to make it through to challenge the current world champion, Magnus Carlsen (25 y.o., Norwegian), who defeated Anand in the last two World Championships. If Caruana can earn the title of World Champion, he would be just the third American to do so (Wilhelm Steinitz was Austrian, but immigrated after winning the first-ever chess championship, and then there was Bobby Fischer).
1. Caruana (USA) - 6.5/11
2. Anand (IND) - 6.5/11
3. Karjakin (RUS) - 6/11
4. Giri (BEL) - 5.5/11
5. Aronian (ARM) - 5.5/11
6. Svidler (RUS) - 5.5/11
7. Nakamura (USA) - 4.5/11
8. Topalov (BUL) - 4/11
In Round 11, Svidler (playing as Black) beat Aronian, which is stunning for a couple of reasons - not only was Aronian contending for the lead, this was only the second match in the tournament (out of 44) in which Black beat White. Anand (White) beat Karjakin (Black), allowing Vishy to move past Karjakin (who was leading after Round 10). Caruana and Nakamura both drew as Black (kind of like holding your serve in Tennis).
Essentially, it would be a stunner if anyone other than Caruana or Anand won the tournament. Karjakin still has a match against Caruana, with Karjakin playing White. If Karjakin wins that outright, it will be very difficult for Caruana to win. If Caruana draws, he'll be in a very good position to win, especially if he gets a win in one of his other two remaining matches (both as White, against Svidler and Aronian). Vishy Anand (the World Champion from 2000-2002 and 2007-2013) needs Karjakin to beat Caruana, as Caruana holds the tiebreaker over Anand (Caruana beat him and drew against him), but Anand holds the tiebreaker over Karjakin. Karjakin could sneak in, but it would take luck.
As of right now, Caruana has probably a 50-60% chance to make it through to challenge the current world champion, Magnus Carlsen (25 y.o., Norwegian), who defeated Anand in the last two World Championships. If Caruana can earn the title of World Champion, he would be just the third American to do so (Wilhelm Steinitz was Austrian, but immigrated after winning the first-ever chess championship, and then there was Bobby Fischer).
How will we know, when the morning comes, we are still human? - 2D
Don't worry, my friend. If this be the end, then so shall it be.
Don't worry, my friend. If this be the end, then so shall it be.
