2014 Sinquefield Cup - Chess and Board Game Strategy

Looks like the final field for the 2014 Sinquefield Cup is set. For whatever reason, Karjakin declined and the spot was filled by Topalov. Here's the list.

Carlsen
Aronian
Caruana
Nakamura
Topalov
Vachier-Lagrave

That's the numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 ranked players in the world. Round 1 starts on Wednesday August 27th and it's a DRR format, finishing round 10 on Saturday, September 6th.

Here's a link to the webpage.

http://saintlouischessclub.org/civic...?reset=1&id=62

August is going to be a great month for chess, with the Olympiad followed by this. Can't wait.

Quote

07-31-2014 , 09:26 PM

kingstalker

grinder

Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 445

I wonder if Nakamura is going to try the sunglasses again?

Quote

08-02-2014 , 12:45 AM

vixticator

clutch

Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 117,339

I watched almost every match of last year's cup on the youtube. Looking forward to this one.

Quote

08-05-2014 , 01:56 PM

All-inMcLovin

Wholesome Mod

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 49,614

odds Carlsen wins this event (clear 1st)?

Quote

08-05-2014 , 02:47 PM

networth

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,208

I'm predicting Naka gets his first win against Carlsen. It's gotta happen sometime. No I'm not taking action on it.

Quote

08-06-2014 , 06:50 AM

airwave16

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6,218

Gotta be > 80% magnus ships it.

Quote

08-06-2014 , 07:25 AM

BobJoeJim

Tournament Director

Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11,200

Quote:

Originally Posted by airwave16

Gotta be > 80% magnus ships it.

Six players and no weak link? The field has to have better than a 20% shot, even with how much stronger Magnus is than anyone else. Without running any numbers, my instincts say Carlsen is probably more like 65-70% to win the event. Still ridiculously impressive to be even that big of a favorite of course (if that number is reasonable), but I'd put money on the field at 4 to 1.

Quote

08-26-2014 , 04:06 PM

networth

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,208

Just a reminder; starts tomorrow. I"ll be watching. True dat.

Quote

08-27-2014 , 02:09 PM

BobJoeJim

Tournament Director

Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11,200

Best places to watch live online, with commentary?

Quote

08-27-2014 , 02:36 PM

#10

TimTimSalabim

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 14,522

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobJoeJim

Best places to watch live online, with commentary?

Don't know of anything yet other than http://www.uschesschamps.com/live which appears to be hosting the on-site commentary.

Kind of psyched for this as I haven't watched any live chess since the world championships last year.

Last edited by TimTimSalabim; 08-27-2014 at 02:37 PM. Reason: err, chess not poker

Quote

08-27-2014 , 03:00 PM

#11

brushbackz

old hand

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,874

It's being shown on Chess.com right now also. I had no idea about this until today. I had no idea there was a tourney in the US with the top players in the world showing up. Might take a trip to St.Louis next year.

Quote

08-27-2014 , 03:30 PM

#12

brushbackz

old hand

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,874

wow Magnus off to a rough start in his game

Quote

08-27-2014 , 03:48 PM

#13

TimTimSalabim

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 14,522

more likely Magnus is just up to something that is over everyone's head

Quote

08-27-2014 , 03:58 PM

#14

brushbackz

old hand

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,874

And there it is

Quote

08-27-2014 , 05:02 PM

#15

feedmykids2

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4,527

MVL Carlsen game is definitely elite

Quote

08-27-2014 , 07:42 PM

#16

networth

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,208

Biggest surprise of the day is Ben Feingold is a vegetarian.

Quote

08-27-2014 , 10:26 PM

#17

All-inMcLovin

Wholesome Mod

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 49,614

Fun fun fun event.

Go Carlsen!

Quote

08-28-2014 , 05:00 AM

#18

Rei Ayanami

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 11,685

Magnus has been in a slump lately, down to a putrid 2868, so this will likely be Naka's best chance for a while.

Quote

08-28-2014 , 10:40 AM

#19

networth

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,208

Naka interview was interesting after the game. He thinks everything Kasparov showed him he also showed Carlsen. Adds to psychological block. Still picking Naka today.

Quote

08-28-2014 , 02:39 PM

#20

BobJoeJim

Tournament Director

Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11,200

What opening do people predict for Nakamura-Carlsen?

Quote

08-28-2014 , 03:32 PM

#21

brushbackz

old hand

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,874

Another crazy MVL game. Think he's my new favorite player

Quote

08-28-2014 , 04:04 PM

#22

BobJoeJim

Tournament Director

Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11,200

Quote:

Originally Posted by brushbackz

Another crazy MVL game. Think he's my new favorite player

I think we can mostly thank Caruana for the craziness in this one, seems like this is all prep so far (considering that Fabiano has MORE time on his clock than the 1:30 he started with, while MVL is under 44 minutes with his clock ticking...)

Quote

08-28-2014 , 04:18 PM

#23

brushbackz

old hand

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,874

That's true. How about the Topalov-Caruana game? I'm guessing Topalov has to have the edge here

Quote

08-29-2014 , 06:12 PM

#24

BobJoeJim

Tournament Director

Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11,200

First day I haven't had a chance to watch, but I just pulled up chessbomb and it looks like Caruana has good winning chances with black - against Magnus! If he converts that would give him a REALLY impressive +3 start.

Edit: And Magnus resigns. Wow. Good on you Fabiano!

Last edited by BobJoeJim; 08-29-2014 at 06:29 PM.