Boris Gelfand has won the 2011 Candidates series, after defeating Alexander Grischuk in the 6th game of the Final. The result was somewhat of a surprise, not because Grischuk was in any way the favourite, but more so because the game had a result other than a draw. This was in fact the first decisive game that Grischuk had played at classical time controls, having drawn the previous 13 games he had played. For Gelfand it was his second win of the series (at the long time controls), the most by any player.
Gelfand now gets to play a World Championship match against defending champion Viswanathan Anand next year. I suspect in the next few months the discussion will not be so much about who will win the match but who will pay for it. The hope is that a big Indian sponsor may be found (although this hasn't really happened in the past), although now that the identity of the challenger is known, other countries may be keen to hold the match.
Gelfand,Boris (2733) - Grischuk,Alexander (2747) [E60]
WCh Candidates Kazan RUS (3.6), 25.05.2011
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nb6 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.e3 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Re1 a5 11.Qe2 Bg4 12.h3 Be6 13.b3 a4 14.Rb1 axb3 15.axb3 Qc8 16.Kh2 Ra5 17.Rd1 Rh5 18.Nh4 Bf6 19.f4 Rd8 20.Qf2 Bxh4 21.gxh4 Nd5 22.Nxd5 Rhxd5 23.Bb2 Rb5 24.Qe2 Rh5 25.e4 Bxb3 26.Rdc1 Na5 27.d5 b6 28.Be5 c5 29.dxc6 f6 30.Ba1 Rc5 31.Rxc5 bxc5 32.Qb5 Qc7 33.Rxb3 Nxc6 34.e5 Nd4 35.Qc4+ 1-0
2 comments:
Israel placing a decent bid would certainly make life interesting for fide :)
Well that was one dull series of candidates matches. Carlsen was sorely missed.
Grishuk's odd strategy of agreeing early draws with white and pushing with black finally backfired, as it should have. At least the decisive game was entertaining.
AO
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