Gata tried very hard and perhaps too hard too hard to beat Gelfand. But at the end, he could not break through. Instead of accepting a drawish position today, he sacrificed a pawn to try to win but ended up losing. Congratulations to Gelfand and good try by Gata! He still can try again in the next cycle but he needs help with a better opening repertoire if he wants to go all the way.
On the other hand, Boris is an incredibly difficult player to beat. He’s rock solid. The reason why he does not get more recognition is because he does not have the style of someone like Shirov or Topalov. But he is always a big threat in any tournament. It will be very interesting to see how he will fare in Mexico City.
GM Kamsky (2705) – GM Gelfand (2733) [B52]
FIDE candidates Matches Elista, Kalmykia Russia, 11.06.2007
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 g6 7.0–0 Bg7 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 0–0 10.f3 Rc8 11.b3 d5 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 e6 14.Bh6 exd5 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.c5 Na6 17.Nc2 Nxc5 18.Qd4+ f6 19.Ne3 Ne6 20.Qh4 Rc5 21.Rad1 d4 22.Ng4 Rf8 23.Rfe1 Rh5 24.Qg3 Rd5 25.Rd2 Qd6 26.Qh4 h5 27.Nf2 g5 28.Qe4 Re5 29.Qb1 Rxe1+ 30.Qxe1 Rd8 31.g3 Nc5 32.Qe2 a5 33.Qb5 b6 34.a3 Qe6 35.Rb2 d3 36.b4 axb4 37.axb4 Nb3 38.Qa4 Nd4 39.Kg2 Nc2 40.Rxc2 dxc2 41.Qxc2 g4 42.fxg4 hxg4 43.Kg1 Rd4 44.Qc7+ Kg6 45.Qc2+ f5 46.Qc3 Rc4 47.Qd2 Kh7 48.h3 gxh3 49.Nxh3 Qc6 50.Qe3 Rc1+ 51.Kf2 Qc2+ 52.Kf3 Rf1+ 53.Nf2 Rxf2+ 0-1
Final score, Gelfand 3.5 – Kamsky 1.5
Susan,
We must say some words of admiration and respect for Boris’s level of play in Elista. He showed deep understanding of chess and remained unbeatable till the end. He wasn’t even close to a defeat in all of his games. We also must remember that he’ll soon celebrate his 39-th birthday, and it doesn’t make it easier to play.
Well done Boris and good luck in Mexico!
YEVLEV
Ashkelon, Israel
Boris did a great job!
For sure he was the most underestimated player in this field (besides “Rubl”, perhaps) – and he made it!
What a great day for chess in Israel (yes, it makes a difference to be a jew playing for xyz-country and to be a jew, playing for Israel!).
Remember Boris open letter to FIDE a few months ago, which made him “persona non grata” to lot’s of FIDE officials… he gave them the very best answer!
Sorry for GM Gata Kamsky – but above a certain degree of chess masterhood, the formula to improve is neither “tactics, tactics, tactics”, nor “endings, endings, endings” but simply OPENINGS …
greetings
Kamsky has nothing to be ashamed of. I’m very proud of how far he’s come since his comeback. I’m looking forward to seeing him and perhaps a few more Americans, such as Onischuk or Nakamura, go for the world championship next cycle.
vohaul, where are you from Israel?
YEVLEV
Hi,
I am sorry for Gata. He has been brave but might be to much. If there was the the draw he could have took it and wait for the chance in the next game. I thin his nerves went down.
Openings are the same as service in tennis but playing tennis is not serving.
Regards
Pony.
I believe it shows the corruption in USCF. How come Gata goes to these world championship tournaments and does not have assistance. How come USCF could not bother to find him a sponsor to help him with seconds. He was the only “loner” in Elista. What a shame on USCF. All the officials at the USCF should immediately resign.
I sincerely hope Susan blows the USCF away and wins big time in the election. I know she will make changes.
Kamsky’s play reminded me of Karpov in the mid 90’s. He also didn’t care for opening advantage and played ‘little moves’ all game long. It did work for him in the 70’s and 80’s, but became harder later on, because it lacked the panache, poison and inspiration of its early years.
But Gata will be back, he did great and I’ve seen recent big wins of him against the very best. And in those he didn’t have problem with the openings either.
Opening theory is so easy to polish up, when you have such deep understanding of the game.
Boris Gelfand was fantastic in both his matches.
About Kamsky, I would just say this: The last year, there were several sad and ridiculous things in chess, very bad for chess reputation and to find sponsor. Now, when Kamsky went on for more than 10 moves, with 3 pawns less without compensation,it was very impolite, and another argument for “chess is becoming ridiculous” – so I don’t understand those who, after that, seems sad that he lost.
[Now, when Kamsky went on for more than 10 moves, with 3 pawns less without compensation,it was very impolite, and another argument for “chess is becoming ridiculous”] -Anonymous
I do not understand this at all. Playing on a bit in a position where you are three pawns down and fighting for your championship life is completely different than, say, accusing your opponent (who is beating the crap, not to use a bad pun, out of you) of cheating by reading fritz evals off a toilet… which the last anonymous seems to be alluding to.
Regardless of Kamsky’s last match, I’m proud of him.
signed,
Seth Homa, NM
Will he be comfortable, and be able to remain, without the warm sunshine of world championship promise in the next few years? Will the more loyal and evr-present friend of his art sustain him? One plays through the games of Rubinstein, Pillsbury, and Nimzovich today, the thought that they were not world champions interupts not a moment of awe, gratitude, or pleasure.
Randy Roehll
“I do not understand this at all. Playing on a bit in a position where you are three pawns down and fighting for your championship life is completely different than,”
Come on. Trying to hang on to an inferior position and not resigning in a position where mate in 2 can be discovered even by an 8 year old are two very different things. Kamsky did NOT resign after playing 53. Nf2
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3925
You can find these type of positions in 1001 Brilliant Ways to Checkmate by Fred Reinfeld. It’s a nice tactical guide for players under 1500 Fide rating.
Kamsky insulted Gelfand and he was severely punished.
Hah, I was right, Gelfand crushed Kamsky, he OWNS him.
Hmmm…
Election tactics: Using straw men and impersonation.
The WWW: Currently bringing these two old standby election tactics to the fore.
And if Kamsky had allowed Qe4 mate, I suppose you would be apoplectic with rage. Believe me, if you could ask Gelfand, he’d tell you he wasn’t in the least bit insulted.
Also, you might want to mail a copy of Reinfeld’s book to World Champions Kramnik and Topalov about that mate in 2 thing. You know, they play like 1500 FIDE rated 8 year olds sometimes.
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1440796
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1430952
How insulting that Kramnik didn’t resign when mate in 3 was on the board! And he even had the chutzpah to win!
Cheers,
Seth Homa NM