Chess
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BEFORE beating Anatoly Karpov last April, Nigel Short's previous result had been to take last place in the Linares tournament. Last week, Jan Timman, Short's opponent in the Candidates final, finished last in Moscow. It can be a good idea to get some bad chess out of your system before an important event, so neither man will be taking the Moscow result too seriously.
The result in Moscow was another confirmation of the changing order of world chess with Gelfand and Anand sharing first place on 4 1/2/7, followed by Kamsky on 4, all ahead of the old men, Karpov, Yusupov and Salov, who scored 3 1/2 ; Shirov was next on 3, with Timman hobbling home on 1 1/2.
The following game was a candidate for worst of the tournament, but great fun for the spectators. Shirov must have overlooked 17. Nb1 entirely, but after being forced to give up his queen for a bishop, played on as though nothing had happened.
Yusupov returned some material, but Shirov's initiative grew very dangerous. At such moments, when you have been a queen up for most of the game, it is easy to panic, but Yusupov stayed calm and threaded his way through the complications with 34. Nxh5], returning his queen to reach a won endgame.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments