Another two draws in Kazan
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Both semi-final games of Round 3 of the Candidates Matches-2011 for FIDE World Championship ended peacefully.
Both semi-final games of Round 3 of the Candidates Matches-2011 Grischuk – Kramnik and Kamsky – Gelfand ended in a draw. Before the last semi-final Round, which will be played tomorrow, the score is 1,5:1,5 in both matches.
Finally, here came the Openning with the king’s pawn. Kramnik chose Petroff and for Gelfand, no need to guess, – Najdorf Sicilian, his favourite defence already for many, many years.
Expectations to witness a very interesting theoretical discussion between the Russians, have been proved. Kramnik had a lot of experiences (as white) in his match with Leko, Grischuk’ seconds are also top experts. White took initiative but black knew very well how to deal with the position. Clock confirmed, that black had not had too many problems. Grischuk spent more than one hour and a half for 25 moves, so did the ex world champion. Just small advantage was not enough to play for the win, and Grischuk offered a draw, adopted by Kramnik.
The second duel was even much more exciting. White prepared a novelty, and Gelfand’s answer probably was not the best. American GM got a good compensation for the sacrificed pawn, and after that started his strong attack. Meantime, Gelfand had to solve a lot of problems. He decided not to castle, and that was a right plan indeed.
Instead of making more pressure, Kamsky’s maneuver did not bring a lot. His position had still been better, but without a clear progress. Suddenly black pieces became more active, and Gelfand equalized the position, at last.
In big “zeitnot” Kamsky made a horrible mistake, but, luckily for him was not punished. The game could have been finished in one move, the black could have stayed with one piece up.
After a lot of exchanges, the players entered the two rook endgame with four pawns, slightly better for Gelfand. They continued to play within one hour and a half, and agreed to a draw.
Semi-final’s Round 4 will be played tomorrow, on 15 May, 2011. The games are scheduled to start at 03.00 p.m. local time.
Too boring.