Ivanchuk was way ahead but ended up cracking to the pressure of both being robbed and Magnus Carlsen
This article is a short summary, for the full article on Bilbao Chess Masters End – How did Carlsen Come Back? please visit William’s site.
Magnus Carlsen won the 2011 Bilbao Chess Masters Final, beating Ivanchuk in the 2nd game of their rapid tiebreaker to claim 1st place honors. This was one of the strongest and most exciting tournaments I have ever seen, as the Sofia rules point system encouraged 6 of the world’s best players (average FIDE 2780!) to really fight for the win in every game. As the disparity in playing strength has continued to decrease at the highest levels of chess, it is becoming increasingly popular to reward aggressive play (3 points per win, 1 point per draw). This is a great format and I truly hope the chess world sees more incentives for playing all-out for the win as this results in much more exciting chess for spectators and players alike.
Ivanchuk’s Nerves Come To Question?
Vassily Ivanchuk established a dominating lead in the first leg of the 2011 Bilbao Chess Masters Final, displaying yet another incredible performance coming directly from a 3rd place finish at the 2011 World Chess Cup. Ivanchuk is in his 40s and has been in the top 10 for 2 decades – when is this guy going to slow down? Ivanchuk’s unmatched creativity, energy and passion for chess are almost as incredible as his tenured, Super-GM playing strength. The robbery incident that occurred at the end of the Sao Paolo leg was extremely unfortunate, and the condolences of the chess world go out to Ivanchuk and his family. Vassily Ivanchuk played exciting and fearless chess at the 2011 Bilbao Chess Masters Final, pushing for the win at every opportunity. My only criticism of Ivanchuk is that occasionally his nerves fail him at the critical, last-round junctures of super tournaments. I can only attribute this to the Ukranian’s eccentric personality, as he is capable of following awe-inspiring combinations and plans with nervous failures in time pressure. Either way, Ivanchuk’s recent performances at the 2011 World Chess Cup (3rd place finish in a Knockout tournament of over 128 titled players) and at the 2011 Bilbao Chess Masters Final (tied for 1st with world #1 Magnus Carlsen before losing the rapid tiebreaker) are absolutely incredible, and certainly place him near the top of my list for Best Chess Player of 2011.
This article is a short summary, for the full article on Bilbao Chess Masters End – How did Carlsen Come Back? please visit William’s site.
Follow William for fresh daily updates: Follow @OnlineChessLessWilliam Stewart is a National Master. He specializes in Online Chess Coaching and maintains a daily updated Chess Blog
Chuky was just tired.
No at good time to talk about nerves. Ever had a gun in your face?
After the robbery were a couple of days rest and in the 1. round in Bilbao Chucky beat Nakamura
The loss against Vallejo-Pons was the beginning of the end, but he still tied for 1. place
Chucky-fan