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Gelfand is the Winner of the Candidates Matches-2011
Written by Peter Zhdanov
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Boris Gelfand won the decisive 6th game against Alexander Grischuk with White & will face the reigning World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand next year. "It was Vishy's dream to be the youngest of the players in the WC match" (C) Boris Gelfand during the press conference.
The Candidates Matches-2011 were accompanied by non-ending criticism of lack of fighting spirit caused by a large number of draws. The general public fails to realize that chess engines and databases have brought the game to a level where top players often memorize lines longer than 20 moves and know very well the plans in the position that occur afterwards. As a result, it is natural for most top-level chess games to end in a draw, but the spectators still tend to consider draws "boring" and wish the good old Fischer 6-0 times were back. No matter how absurd and/or unrealistic such dreams may be, chess organizers have to keep in mind that "the customer is always right" and find a new way of attracting public attention.
Frankly speaking, I am disappointed by the results of the final match. On the one hand, Boris is a true professional who has earned the right to have a shot at the World Champion title by being loyal to chess for decades. Using GM Sutovsky's words, "Boris loves the game as much as Ivanchuk and is as professional in chess as Kramnik". On the other hand, Grischuk is a young and bright player who, while being somewhat careless and obsessed with poker, proves that one doesn't have to live and talk chess 24/7 to succeed. Or did Caissa just choose her more loyal fan? Of course, my opinion is biased (since I and Alexander are in the same age group and both hail from Russia), but I believe the match between generations - Anand and Grischuk - would have been more appealing than a confrontation of two renowned chess veterans. It's hard to promote the event, there is no drama. Even in terms of ratings the situation is dim: Anand is #1 at 2817, Gelfand is #16 at 2733. FIDE will probably have difficulties finding a sponsor for this match unless one of the native countries of the grandmasters (Israel or India) comes into play.
Anyway, the 2011 Candidates Matches are over. Congrats to Boris Gelfand, the winner!
Comments (2)
1. Written by
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on 18:09 25 2011 .
While I love everything all you do in and for chess, and admire your candor with regard to this latest candidates match, I was extremely disappointed with YOUR disappointment precluding your ability to possibly help boost even minutely, any interest for the upcoming Championship match. While Grischuk might have been the more exciting challenger, AND Gelfand might well get his butt kicked, he still won the right to contest for the title, fair and square (I believe). I haven't heard of any unscrupulous dealings by him, as have plagued the chess world, not only today but throughout history. And I dare say that Anand will be "a mench" and, though probably losing opportunity for a much greater payday -through no fault of his own - will go through with the match in a professional manner. And this IS quite unlike the wondrous Kasparov, whose brilliance cannot help but be admired, but who cheated Shirov out of his rightful challenge for the title, because of 'lack of public interest acceptable sponsorship'. He also stated he would not fight another title match with Karpov (whose actions historically I often felt were less than honorable), declaring that the chess public is tired of seeing them battle. True, Kasparov has shown himself superior to Karpov, but their matches were ALWAYS fiercely contested; admirably hard fought; indeed war-like. While Kasparov pretty much said he would obliterate Karpov in their last match, and did all he could to try to wipe the floor with his challenger, he ultimately saw before him a (THE) most suitable challenger. Going back, if fault is to be found with today's situations, look at what made classic championship cycles of the past bring out the best for the game - uh... longer matches, without winners ever decided by such things as a chance flip of a coin, or draw odds vs two-minute time advantage giving a sudden death winner. If interest of the general public continues to remain horribly low, then other means of arousing more interest MUST be sought and found. How much does the general public get to hear nowadays, anyway? Fischer, as sick and disgusting as he became, "demanded" through the years, by his shocking behavior thrown in with his genius at the board, that much more attention become directed at chess. Such stuff won't happen in such a way again; and shouldn't. But if that's what it takes to get chess the notoriety it needs and deserves, we might have to accept that the general public is still not yet ready; sad to say. I humbly thank you for reading this! Please continue you exceptional work!
