Aronian 2.5 – 1.5 Carlsen (W)
Leko 3.5 – 0.5 Gurevich [Leko advances]
(W) Ponomariov 1.5 – 2.5 Rublevsky
(W) Gelfand 2.0 – 2.0 Kasimdzhanov
Kamsky 3.5 – 0.5 Bacrot [Kamsky advances]
(W) Grischuk 3 – 1 Malakhov
(W) Polgar 1.0 – 3.0 Bareev
Adams 2.5 – 1.5 Shirov (W)
What are your predictions for the game and for the matches?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
So Kamsky and Leko have an extended rest period as they do not have to play the final games?
Kamsky will beat Gelfand 3.5 – 1.5
>>
Matt Helfst said…
So Kamsky and Leko have an extended rest period as they do not have to play the final games?
>>
No, under the rules, they have to run laps until the second round starts.
Hi Susan,
I must admit Gata was stronger than Etienne (my favorite player)
Phil from Paris
Webmaster of Chess & Strategy
http://phildornbusch.blogspot.com/
What happens if Carlsen wins the next round then draws the final?
If the score is tied after the six games, they play four rapid games (25’+10″), then two blitz games if needed, then one armageddon game if everything is still tied. (“Armageddon” is played ridiculously fast [something like g2], and, if it is a draw, black wins.)
The Aronian – Carlsen games are going to catch most of the attention, so it seems. These two heavy weights are going to put some fire on the board.
I don’t know how to explain Shirov’s quite lack of success. This is such a talented player and a good man.
The young Polgar sister is going to have a tough time against Bareev. She needs to pull two successive wins. It seems almost an impossible mission to me. But I am not Judith Polgar and what more Susan Polgar has unlimited optimism and absolute faith in her sister’s powers. And so she should. Although I am pro Polgar, Bareev is no easy cake. From what I gathered he is a very very serious chess professional, a chess philosopher and theoretician. And his understanding of all the facets of competitive chess game is holistic and superb. Therefore, I put my money on Bareev, and hopefully Susan will not hold that against me 🙂 Just kidding. But I am praying for Judith to win.
“From what I gathered he is a very very serious chess professional, a chess philosopher and theoretician. And his understanding of all the facets of competitive chess game is holistic and superb.”
Lots of people underestimated Bareev by looking at his current ELO rating which is at a 10 year low probably.
Bareev was the second of Kramnik during his match against Kasparov, and was one of the architects of that magnificient glory (no losses against Kasparov). He prepared most of the openings against which Kasparov’s playing style was less effective including Berlin defense.