Friday, December 14th, 2007
World Cup Finals: Kamsky-Shirov, Not Over the Hill Yet!
Both Gata Kamsky and Alexei Shirov proved that experience outweighs age in their semi-final victories over Carlsen and Karjakin. Who would have predicted that it would be the “Battle of the Old Men” in the finals? Usually these grueling fast time controls favor the young, but Kamsky and Shirov are both in insane form so it didn’t matter. Kamsky also has been hardened to grueling schedules by playing in some of the Swiss Tournaments in the United States.
The finals match is 4 rounds rather than 2, so the result won’t be as random (4 games still is pretty random though). It is impossible to predict a winner, since both have played such great chess. Shirov’s play has impressed me a little bit more than Kamsky’s play, but I have a feeling Kamsky has more gas left in the tank. It’s really a coin flip in my mind.
In another story, Ray Robson fell short of the GM norm in Texas. He needed only 1 out of 2 in rounds 8/9, but he could only manage a half point. Then he could have still got a GM norm with 2 wins in rounds 10 and 11, but he just drew in round 10 so that ends the GM norm chance. Ray will have to settle with his final IM norm (which was achieved after only 5 or 6 rounds), and since he will have a 2400+ rating after this tournament, we can now call him “IM Elect Ray Robson” Congrats Ray!
I haven’t posted for the last few days since I’m working on a whole new section of bradenbournival.com.. I’m keeping it a secret for now, but it should be up and running in a few more days. I’m sure you guys will enjoy it. Check back later!
Hasn’t Shirov been playing at some of the big US events as well? I thought he was at the recent World Open.
But yeah… these “old guys” ( gimme a break LOL) are still tight.
As a breif history lesson, but you probably already are aware, Alexander Kotov, though he was granted a Grandmaster Title at age 26 ( third soviet member to be titled as such following Botvinik adn Levenfish) he went on at the ripe old age of 38 to earn the title of International grandmaster. At 39 he had his best result at the 1952 Saltsjobaden Interzonal. In his forties, he helped the soviet team win two gold medals. As he pushed 50, he won the hastings 1962 event!
So I think that “being passed prime” is a load of bunk.
Of course, I’ve yet to reach my true potential.
My mispent youth ( remind me to tell you about my transgressions when I was your age) now behind me and my growing youths finally going off on thier own… I may yet get my chance. I can hope.
-BP
Posted by: Blunderprone at December 16th, 2007 at 8:35 pm