metatron2: Seems like Kramnik has got himself a new habbit: To shut down his brain after getting a completely winning position.We saw that happens in his game against Carlsen in London, and he himself spoke about his new problem of blowing away winning positions, but this one simply too much!
I mean dah ??! Every 1800 rated player could have won that endgame against Karjakin, if he was given the position after (for example) move 48. Like isn't that obvious that black's only counter play is his a-pawn, and if white exchanges that pawn for his d-pawn, he will "Only" remain 3 connected passed pawns up? So isn't that obvious that white should simply take that pawn with 49. Nxa3 and give his d3 pawn ?
OK, so instead, Kramnik decided to push his pawns first, while allowing black to block them with his K, but what was he thinking exactly on move 52? Maybe something like:
"OK, I can still take a3, I'll probably lose my (pushed) e+f pawns now, but will still remain with 2 pawns up and some very good winning chances. But I won't do that, instead, I'll check him on g8, push his K to an ideal centralized blockade position, then get my R back to the a-file, allowing him to take my d-pawn AND protect his a-pawn. Now isn't that a brilliant idea? lets play it!".
I didn't know that 2780 rated player is even capable of playing so awful. Not to mention that Kramnik is supposed to be a great endgame player. That is Simply Amazing.
Kibitzing
