When I interviewed and talked to Alexander Morozevich in Mexico City last September, he said that he is not going to win the World Championship with the kind of preparation he had. He said that in order for him to be the best in the world, he must have more focus and preparation. He seemed to be determined to take chess more seriously.
Less than a year later, his dedication has paid off. He is now the unofficial #1 player in the world (approximately 2799) and about to cross the 2800 mark. He needs to have a +1 in his remaining 3 games to do it.
Morozevich, A (2788) – Ponomariov, R (2718) [E32]
2008 Tal Memorial (6), 24.08.2008
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 0–0 5.Nf3 c5 6.dxc5 Na6 7.c6 dxc6 8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.Qxc3 Nc5 10.Be3 Nce4 11.Qe5 b5 12.g4 c5 13.g5 Qa5+ 14.b4 cxb4 15.gxf6 Bb7 16.Bd2 Rfc8 17.Bxb4 Qb6 18.c5 Qd8 19.Rg1 g6 20.Rd1 Qxf6 21.c6 Bxc6 22.Rg4 Qxe5 23.Nxe5 f5 24.Nxc6 Rxc6 25.Bg2 a5 26.Bxe4 fxe4 27.Bd2 Rc4 28.Rg5 Ra4 29.Rxb5 Rxa3 30.Rb7 a4 31.Bf4 Rb3 32.Rxb3 axb3 33.Rb1 e3 34.Bxe3 Rb8 35.Kd2 Rb4 36.f3 e5 37.Bf2 1–0
Click here to replay the game.
He’s always been a very interesting player, but he moved a serious step forwards this year.
Again very refreshing and agressive opening play.
Congrats, Alexander. It is refreshing to see that creative play can get you all the way to the top. Now finish the job. Only 3 more rounds to go!
Morozevich will be number one?????
This is sad! Chess is officially coming to an end as a game worth taking seriously.
Go Magnus!
O, he is nice and plays well. But No 1 is Anand, the world champion. Ranking is only a number, not more.
okay
words are but words
okay (the real one)
yes Moro is on top, but that does not say much about his strength. he has mostly won against lower rated players and only a victory here and there against stronger players. I don’t think he can stay there for longer.
I’m tired of seeing this “Moro can only beat weak players” stuff.
In this tournament, he beat Kramnik, Ponomariov and Alekseev who won Biel ahead of none other than Magnus Carlsen.
What does he need more to prove his class?
To try and hold Ivanchuk for a draw.