tony37 wrote on 11/21/13 at 17:00:21:


Not necessarily. Carlsen likes to play on in favourable positions even when the tournament situation indicates that a draw is enough.

I blame Nielsen.

fairchess wrote on 11/21/13 at 16:52:11:


They will not play the final two games unless Anand wins tomorrow.

ghenghisclown wrote on 11/21/13 at 16:11:23:


I think Anand can still lose the last 3 in a row and end -6 in the match

I don't think allowing white this sort of very dangerous attack is going to count as a conceptual refutation of 4 f3

The thing that looked to be close to that was 4.. o-o because 5 e4 isn't meant to work well. Presume there must be something else fairly effective though because that's Carlsen and Kramnik who have both passed it up in WC matches.
(Or was it Kramnik who played this against Anand in their match?)

IMJohnCox wrote on 11/21/13 at 13:13:38:


Yes Carlsen's approach is interesting. Isn't Black not supposed to allow White a free hand in the centre by closing the centre with 8... c4? I thought the old Botvinnik games already established that. If 7... ed5 8. e3 c4 works then 4. f3 is almost looking like a mistake on a conceptual level!

Having taken the morning off to deal with a faulty boiler and an errant plumber, I enjoyed the chance to catch the game...first game of the match I've been able to watch, and I feel like I got my money's worth. Polgar and that other bloke can witter on a bit; at least Trent and Sachdev talk about the game. Surprised how amateurish and rushed the press conference felt; was also hoping someone would ask Carlsen about his choice of opening, but alas...

Despite the result, I can't see Carlsen's opening catching on. I mean, strong people play it from time to time, so it must have some merits that elude me, but it always strikes me as a very impractical choice, whatever the theoretical verdict.