I hijacked my own thread on this last time, so here is a second try at Morelia-Linares 2007. The annual supertournament starts on February 17. There's a four-day break between the first half in Morelia, Mexico and the second half in Linares, Spain. The final round is March 10. The off days are Feb 20, 23, 26-Mar.1, 5, 8. The players are Topalov, Anand, Leko, Svidler, Aronian, Radjabov, Morozevich, and Carlsen. The Morelia games begin at 15:30 local time (4:30pm EST, 21:30 GMT). Linares games also start at 15:30 local time (9:30am EST, 14:30 GMT)
This site looks like the best bet so far, but it says they couldn't make a deal with the Mexican organizers and won't be broadcasting live games of the Morelia half of the event. Not yet sure if there's another webcast for the live games. I hope they aren't here, this Mexican site is crippled enough as it is. Maybe it needs more crappy Flash.
But never fear, because I'll be back on Chess.fm blabbing away with a coterie of GM co-hosts. You can get a free trial membership to check it out. Spanish speakers get a better deal and can listen to Miguel Illescas on day one.
My prediction.
Hard weeks for Topalov haters to follow.
I see a big tournament for a reasonably well rested Leko
I hope that Morales has some anti cheating regulations in effect and that the results can confirm that no one is cheating.
Maybe Mig will be able to get some reports direct from the playing site as to what is happening.
I just wonder why is the world's number four ranked player, Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar ELO 2754, attending these parties.
Now we have to satisfy with the Azer n:o 2 player ;-) (or three, if (like Nigel might say) we count Garry still as potent)
Mamedyarov will be there in Sofia where they don't have to make the usual obligatory invitations to Leko and Kramnik.
My bet: Topa wins.
Mig,
At the risk of being assaulted by the Topailov lemmings, why no Kramnik?
Mark, Kramnik more or less answered to that in the post Wijk -interview:
http://www.chessninja.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=001449
"-What are your immediate plans?
-I am optimistic and looking forward to the upcoming few months when it comes to my full recovery. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to achieve that so far because of a lot of obligations. But the several upcoming months will not be that stressful for me. So far I don't have enough energy to withstand as long tournament as Wijk-an-Zee. I will play in Monaco in March and then I will play a rapid chess match against Leko in Hungary, and I will play in Dortmund Supertournament in June. So I have an easy schedule until June. Given that the most important competition of the year will take place in Mexico in the fall, the first stage of preparation for it will be full recovery. I will work hard in the summer because I plan to win the World Championship in Mexico."
I'm rooting for Anand here. Lets hope the Vishy wizard doesnt display wishy-washy play
Mig:
Can you explain why you were in Argentina, how long you lived there, and what you got from that country?
Thanks.
P.
Topalov will continue to proof that he is the world's #1 player with the same high level results he has gotten at every tournament he played outside of Bulgaria since Linares 2005. That is, he will finish in the top 3.
I am a USCF member interested in playing in Mexican tournaments. Is there a place I can find tournament listings in Mexico in English?
I would especially like to find some tournaments in Mexico City during the world championships in September, but am also inteested in other tournaments.
How does a USCF rating of 1850 translate to the Mexican rating system?
Thanks
Well Yuriy he certainly finished in the top 3 in elista :-)
I'd be a bit surprised if Radjabov repeats his success, although he should finish even or above. One wonders what kind of preparation will be in store for his KID. Except for Carlsen, all of the other Wijk aan Zee 2007 participants seem to be in good form, although Svidler is inconsistent with Black. I think that Anand and Leko will be vying for first. Maybe Topalov is due for another poor result...
Aside from Carlsen, and the always unpredictable Morozevich, it's hard to imagine the other players finishing with a minus score, but that is bound to happen. Still, I anticipate that the event will be closely fought, and that +3 ought to suffice for a share of 1st Place.
There seem to be enough "fighting spirit" players to ensure that there will be a good % of decisive results.
Carlsen was taught many lessons at WaZ, but has he had time to incorporate them?
I'd be a bit surprised if Radjabov repeats his success, although he should finish even or above. One wonders what kind of preparation will be in store for his KID. Except for Carlsen, all of the other Wijk aan Zee 2007 participants seem to be in good form, although Svidler is inconsistent with Black. I think that Anand and Leko will be vying for first. Maybe Topalov is due for another poor result...
Aside from Carlsen, and the always unpredictable Morozevich, it's hard to imagine the other players finishing with a minus score, but that is bound to happen. Still, I anticipate that the event will be closely fought, and that +3 ought to suffice for a share of 1st Place.
There seem to be enough "fighting spirit" players to ensure that there will be a good % of decisive results.
Carlsen was taught many lessons at WaZ, but has he had time to incorporate them?
I forget. When a sponsor doesn't provide us free instantaneous transmission of the games in their tournament aren't we supposed to be outraged?
These days you may slowly delay your outrage
riq, if Topa wins than we will see another "cheating" wave against him. But what to do... When somebody is so strong and is not from right country is normaly to expect accusations. I just hope that the dirt over his head not influence to his performanceĞ»
And how come Anand has escaped these accusations?
Oh man, rdh's idiocy is matched only by his prolificness. And I guess also by his obnoxiousness, his obstinacy and his conceit
Seems to me that Topalov played extremely strong in 2005 and 2006, but then no "cheating wave" was seen in the general press.
Was he Russian during that time, and did he move to Bulgaria only recently? Or could it be that the unfounded accusations of his manager in Elista set a climate for other, also unfounded, accusations in general?
No "cheating wave" was started when Kasimdzhanov very unexpectedly won the FIDE world championship. This must mean that Uzbekistan is a "right" country. Of course, being part of the former USSR! Which countries are "right" and which ones are not? Russia is "right" and Bulgaria is not, I understand from your comments. But the rest?
Seems another thread explodes... Let's write something about chess for a change.
This tournament is other than the usual ones, because it is played on 2 continents. There is a break between the 2 parts, but still, one has to cope with it. I think Topalov can do that better than, e.g., Anand.
Strange enough Aronian is not mentioned that often. He won last year, he won Corus. Still he stays "invisible", very strange. I think he will surprise us once again by winning this tournament.
"Seems another thread explodes... Let's write something about chess for a change.
This tournament is other than the usual ones, because it is played on 2 continents."
A sentence, which I promptly read as:
This tournament is other than the usual ones, because it is played on 2 computers.
Spent a couple of moments trying to figure out what could possibly mean: one computer for Topalov, one for Anand. Then :)
of course there will be live coverage of the Linares event somewhere on the net. If not the chess fans around the world would unite and there would be riots on the streets!
Sooo Is there a site where anyone can see the live games move by move?
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//rant_on : I want to see the live games without paying. As far as I am concerned, the players should insist that major tournaments have a reliable live transmission of moves from a publicly available website. Organizers who want to make more money off their tournaments could have live video and commentary from analysts for paying customers who want more.
The players should insist that you get to see their games for free, live? But why? What do they owe you? I agree that it would be good for the tournament and its sponsors, but still - the chess world is spoiled by all these events sending out the moves for free.
If you watch a football game, or a baseball game, basketball, anything, on tv, you either have to pay, or you get a zillion commercials every minute. Or both.
http://www.okantomi.com.mx/live/lr3/tfd.htm
has a lousy design, but does give the moves. Live or semi-live, I have no idea.