2016 FIDE (Chess) Candidates Tournament

[Brian37]

I suck at all board games, video games, sports, the best I could do a long time ago was tell you how the pieces move, but it has been such a long time, I don't remember any of that now. I do know it is a game of strategy and you really have to think several moves ahead, and that was something I could never do. Kudos to anyone who can.

[c172]

I think chess is fascinating, but I don't have any close friends with whom I can play. I do love the artistry of the board and its pawns and pieces. I love the glamor of some of the cities that host the bigger events. I got a book on that one American guy who kind of derailed and wound up living his waning days in Iceland. What a life of adventure (and senility)! Bobby Fischer, I think? I'm sure there are other interesting personalities, at least in the older days.

I need to reread my Chess for Dummies and join the local club for classes. I'm not that social, but whatever. In the throes of a match, that doesn't matter.

[TheRealJoeFish]

Sadly, it is over: after 13 rounds, SERGEY KARJAKIN of Russia - the 13th-ranked player in the world - has won the tournament and earned the right to face Magnus Carlsen in the World Chess Championship in New York City this fall.

Things looked good for Caruana after 12 rounds; even though he had blundered away a victory in Round 11, he only needed to draw against Karjakin in Round 13. That would have left him at 8 points, Karjakin at 8 points, and Anand at 7.5, with Caruana holding the tiebreaker over both (and playing white in the final round, whereas Karjakin's Round 14 contest was as black). However, Karjakin, who like Caruana was aided by American Hikaru Nakamura's surprising victory over Anand in Round 12, beat Caruana flat out, as the American blundered once again and allowed an easy checkmate. This gave Karjakin 8.5 points, Caruana 7.5, and Anand 7.5, and the win (instead of a draw) over Caruana meant Karjakin has the tiebreak. Thus, Karjakin is un-catchable.

Alas. Maybe we'll have an American champion in 2018. Sigh.

[Little lunch]

I would definately suck at playing chess with a timer.
I have taken up to an hour to make a move.
It's much better when the other player takes that long to move and you use that time to calculate where they will go next and what you will do, and then make your move quickly after them.
It really psyches them out.
That's why playing a computer can be dull as it takes away that side of the game.
Playing for money adds even another psychological edge.
I know it's hard to imagine for non players but chess is a fucking exciting game.

[c172]

I feel like I'd forget to even press the button on the timer. Which I think would be grounds for a DQ because the other person couldn't make a move.