I don't think you can say this game relates to Carlsen's play today in any way. For one thing, Fischer never even fianchettoed his bishop, instead playing Be2. (Apparently, this move was never considered by Tal's analytic team, but Fischer found it OTB.) Fischer went on to win his game with sharp play, quite in contrast with Carlsen's insipid approach. I realize milking marginally better positions to a victory has been Carlsen's stock-in-trade, but I honestly wonder if this is such a good idea in a World championship match. Surely he'd have more winning chances with sharper openings that gave Anand more opportunities to go wrong, especially with White >

Yes, that's true. I was thinking of examples. I didn't realise that Carlsen plays this opening quite a lot.

Then I recalled Fischer's games in a book of his games that came out about 1963 or so. In it there were some examples of KI Attacks.

The Tal game (quite a different game) happened because Tal actually blundered (or made and error) on about move 4 or so. He thought he had played his usual a6. (Which is nowadays omitted in (say) the Bastrikov-Taimanov.) It was a sharp game.

But Carlsen plays some nice attacking games, and I wouldn't call his play 'insipid'. Most chess games at this level are relatively "quiet" shall we say. It is a question of style.

In fact most of Fischer's wins were not particularly sharp against major GM's but were similar in character to the way Capablanca, Karpov, and well...hmmm...Carlsen played. Often he showed great technique in endings. He was very confidant, but so is Carlsen.

In the last match Anand didn't play so well. I think the problem was pyschological. Age or fitness might be a factor. But this time both Carlsen are playing quite sharply although there was some sharp play in one or two games by Carlsen.

In any case, in this match, both players seem to be playing to their best, so to speak. An interesting match so far.

Pity it is so short and ends with a shoot out and the toss of a coin. It will perhaps end "not with a bang but a whimper." Of course, for the lusting fans who love to see the gladiators mauled and blood spurting out: there is always the final DOOM GAME!!

It would be sad to see him sliced off the board as it looked he might. Even the Candidates wasn't convincing as the GMs weren't playing very sane chess. (Aronian played some bizarre things)

[I don't mean there weren't some great games, there were.]

Then Carlsen was bested by Caruana who is very good so it probably gave Anand more hope.

There was a time when certain players seemed almost unbeatable but that never lasts....

click for larger view

32. Qb5 threatening Qb8+ and nicking the a7 pawn would have been quite good for a laugh.

One can just imagine the comments on here had Carlsn played it. One can also imagine the splash Carlsen would have made after jumping off the nearest bridge.

Home preparation is all part of the game. Some wonderful ideas and TN's have come from home prep. Often some are never used so saved up for a later date like a ticking time bomb with the players concerned agreeing who ever has the chance to play first gets to play it.

One wonders what it must be like having a corker of a TN up your sleeve knowing that anyday now someone else may stumble upon it and play it.

In this day and age some will have come from computers (and never given the credit.)

The first example of home prep?

Reading some of the other post on here we have to remember he is old and 32.Qb5 would not have been any part of home preparation.

Yes. Interesting. The engine plays 32....Qd8 33. Nd4 Nxd4 34. Qxd4. I think the ending is still practically equal with Queens on.

Hullo