Kramnik never recovered after his loss against Naiditsch. He ended up finishing next to last place, only ahead of Van Wely. It is extremely difficult to play your best and not revealing your pet repertoire. I hope he can bounce back and have an exciting match against Anand.
GM Ivanchuk (2740) – GM Kramnik (2788) [C42]
06.07.2008 / Dortmund – Final Round
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.0–0 Be7 8.Re1 Bg4 9.c4 Nf6 10.Nc3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Nxd4 12.Qd1 Ne6 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Bb5+ c6 15.Nxd5 cxb5 16.Qh5 0–0 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Qxb5 Rfd8 19.Be3 a6 20.Qb3 Rac8 21.h3 h6 22.Rad1 Rxd1 23.Rxd1 b5 24.Rd3 Rc6 25.Qd5 Qe8 26.Rd2 Qc8 27.b3 Rc3 28.h4 a5 29.Rd1 Rc2 30.Qxb5 Rxa2 31.h5 Nf8 32.Rd4 Qc7 33.Rd1 Rb2 34.Rc1 Qd7 35.Qb8 Rc2 36.Ra1 Qf5 37.Qd8 Qxh5 38.Rxa5 Qg4 39.Ra4 Qd7 40.Rd4 Qb7 41.b4 Rb2 42.Bd2 Rb1+ 43.Kh2 Qb5 44.Qd5 Qe2 45.Be3 Ng6 46.Qf5 Qf1 47.Kg3 Rb3 48.Re4 Nf8??? 49.Rf4 White wins 1–0
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IMO it proves something : Kramnik is not going to use Petrof defense in his match versus Anand.
I am sure, he found another line versus e4, or maybe after e4 e5 Nf3, he don’t want to play somes boring Petrof defense in the world champion match.
I think you’re right.
He obviously is not prepared in the Petroff
Ivanchuk is now second on the virtual rating list with 2791.5, Kramnik 6th with 2772.9.
1 Anand 2798
2 Ivanchuk 2791.5
3 Carlsen 2791.1
4 Morozevich 2788
5 Topalov 2777
6 Kramnik 2772.9
Chucky the sailor man kicked Kramnik in the pooper can…
He was strong to the finich because he had his liquor, he’s Chucky the sailor man!
Toot! Toot!
I don’t think his losses are a consequence of his opening repertoir.
His loss against Naiditsch came after a surprising novelty and his loss against Ivanchuk after a huge blunder, without which the game normally would have ended in a draw.
It would be stupid of him to drop the Petroff just because of these losses, and change it for an opening he knows less well, where novelties and blunders can happen as well.
What surprises me is the fact he’s mentally weak : just as in corus this year, after a first loss he starts playing poorly and makes errors.
The youngsters in this tournament can learn something from this fighting spirit!!!!
I believe Kramnik has discovered what does not work in the Petroff and will not make these same mistakes again. Obviously Anand will study these games also. This was to Kramnik’s advantage finding out what does not work. If he takes Van Wely as a second they will have lots experience on their side regarding what does not work. Bravo Kramnik !!!
Kramnik loses and you say Bravo?
Is today opposite day?
http://chess.liverating.org/
Topalov is now above Kramnik!!!
Yay!!