After 3 games, here are the standings:
Aronian 1.5 – 1.5 Carlsen
Leko 2.5 – .5 Gurevich
Ponomariov 1 – 2 Rublevsky
Gelfand 1.5 – 1.5 Kasimdzhanov
Kamsky 2.5 – .5 Bacrot
Grischuk 2 – 1 Malakhov
Polgar 1 – 2 Bareev
Adams 1.5 – 1.5 Shirov
What have been the biggest surprises so far? What are your predictions now at the half way mark? Which has been the most exciting match so far?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
It is a good sign that Magnus won a game. It shows he is a real fighter. As much as I like Carlsen, I honestly thought Aronian was going to walk all over him – I did not even expect Magnus to win a single game. This should be the most exciting match; both players are young, and both want this shot at the title really bad.
Not a chess related note but:
Judith’s hairstyle she had today was so lovely .
It makes her so beautiful!
I barely recognized her in a photo…
Tell her that.
Great to see Gata take a commanding lead.
Nice to see Magnus tie up the score by winning a nice one.
Disappointing to see Judit only get the draw. I kept hoping for a win. She is about 85 elo points above Bareev and she should be the one doing better in the games. She got a nice advantage and kept it today all the way. But no win. I hope she gets the advantage next game.
NO GAMES TOMORROW according to ICC.
>>Judith’s hairstyle she had today was so lovely .
It makes her so beautiful!
I barely recognized her in a photo…
Tell her that. >>
She looks so good you hardly recognized her? Hmmm, maybe we can find a more diplomatic way to say that.
The two best matches have to be Aronian-Carlsen and Kamsky-Bacrot.
It looked like Aronian would run away with the match after a brilliant game 1 victory. But then Carlsen chooses to play a sharp gambit line and achieves a quick draw as black (a moral victory for Magnus) and then in the third game Carlsen comes back with a victory to level the match. It seems the tide as turned in favor of Carlsen. It should be an interesting final 3 games.
The Kamsky-Bacrot match was crazy with the incredible time scamble in game 2. Both players had horrible time management but Kamsky had just a bit more time than Bacrot which made all of the difference. After the gift from Bacrot in game 2 it must have provided extra fire for Kamsky and he followed up with a victory in game 3. Kamsky has been known to have shaky openings, but it is almost guaranteed he can hold 2 draws in the last 3 games.
Also, my best wishes go out to Judith in the second half of her match!
Obviously, I would have liked Judith to do a bit better. I hope she can turn it all around during the next three games.
Here are some pictures. I think from game 2. Included is Aronian’s girlfriend. Arianne Caoili.
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3171
Leko is dressed very nicely.
Pono has his suit on.
Many players are too casual dressed for a proper professional image.
Those pictures are from the Olympiade in 2006. It kind of gives it away also, as it says “Olympiade 2006 Torino” And you seriously think that that party was between match 2 and 3?
You’re a funny guy…
GRISCHUK LOOKS LIKE A GRUNGE ROCKSTAR, TOO MUCH BOOZE
The two most exciting games are Aronian-Carlsen and Shirov-Adams but Judit-Bareev was very interesting too. I think Bareev will win and I think Bareev-Leko will be a great match. I hope Shirov win and the next round against Aronian or Carlsen will be great too. Kamsky and Leko will win the first round easy and Kamsky against Kazim or Gelfand will be nice solid game to watch. The group of the unexpected is Ponomariov, Rublevsky and Grischuk.
i would rather see polgar winning even if she had to play with her hair untidy than seeing her really beautiful but just drawing games
good luck judith!
Kamsy and Leko will win. Carlsen Aronian is toss up. Judit seems to be struggling against Bareev so far and I do not see her recovering in second half. Pono should barely squeek by. Rest are either way.