Finals - Game three
The third round of the candidates was quite disappointing, and not so much because it was a fourteen-move draw, but the circumstances. Had it just been a typical ‘grandmaster draw’, one might still echo this sentiment, however that wasn’t really the story. Grischuk chose a rare move in the Queen’s Gambit Declined (9.g3), played only once before by Uhlmann-Hjartarson in 1984, and ran into a strong and unpleasant novelty (9...b5!) right there and then.
Finals - Game three
The third round of the candidates was quite disappointing, and not so much because it was a fourteen-move draw, but the circumstances. Had it just been a typical ‘grandmaster draw’, one might still echo this sentiment, however that wasn’t really the story. Grischuk chose a rare move in the Queen’s Gambit Declined (9.g3), played only once before by Uhlmann-Hjartarson in 1984, and ran into a strong and unpleasant novelty (9...b5!) right there and then.
Thinking he would have the surprise factor, instead the surprise was Grischuk's
As he began to study it, it was clear he had not seen this move at all, and was not
happy about it.
Getting ready to go into a deep think
Half an hour later he was still pondering his continuation
The pawn sacrifice could not be turned down, and in return Black obtained development tempi against White’s queen as well as broad open lines for his bishop pair. All in all, it promised to be a fascinating game, and just as the spectators were settling down for the upcoming struggle…. Draw!?!
On the live Russian video, the groans of the commentators were clearly audible at this
Grischuk,Alexander (2747) - Gelfand,Boris (2733) [D53]
WCh Candidates Kazan RUS (3.3), 21.05.2011
WCh Candidates Kazan RUS (3.3), 21.05.2011
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Qb3 dxc4 8.Qxc4 0-0 9.g3 b5!N
                    |
9...Nd7 10.Bg2 e5 11.d5 Nb6 12.Qb3 Bf5 13.Nd2 Rb8 14.0-0 c6 15.e4 Bd7 16.Rfd1 Bg4 17.Bf3 Bh3 18.a4 Bg5 19.a5 Nd7 20.Nc4 1/2-1/2 (84) Uhlmann,W (2505)-Hjartarson,J (2415)/Leningrad 1984/MCL (84) 10.Qxb5 Nd7 11.Bg2 c5 12.0-0 Rb8 13.Qa4 a5 14.dxc5 1/2-1/2.
