Wednesday 20 March 2013

Oh, Ivanchuk...

"Gentlemen, you had my curiosity. But now you have my attention"
- Calvin Candie in the film Django Unchained
by Junta

We here at FIGJAM are quite fond of the Ukrainian star, but not making the time control in successive rounds (Rounds 2 and 3 of the Candidates) is extremely worrying. Although it's well known that nerves have tended to get the better of him in World Championship events, we can only hope he can pick himself up from here.

Although Ivanchuk has been one of the world's best players since the early 90's, I only began to appreciate how talented he is when I started following elite tournaments a few years ago. One of his games from the 2010 Olympiad made a big impression on me, and it's definitely one of my favourite games. On chessgames.com the game was later named 'Final Fantasy'.



Rounds 2-3 saw a high rate of decisive games (2/4 and 3/4, respectively), and the games in the first leg of the event have been very interesting. Things will get even more exciting from here.

Standings after Round 3:
+2 Aronian 2.5/3
+1 Svidler, Carlsen 2/3
= Kramnik, Grischuk, Radjabov 1.5/3
-2 Ivanchuk, Gelfand 0.5/3  

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