The Tal Memorial 2011
: Created:22 Nov 2011 , byAfter a great start the tournament has become a bore-fest with three rounds of draws, fifteen games without a definite result.
The line-up of ten supergrandmasters promised an exciting event but despite all the efforts of the organisers and breathless analysers it's in danger of dying a death. Anand is so obviously protecting his preparation for the defence of his world title match against Gelfand. 1.d4 leads to either the Queen's Gambit Declined or the Grunfeld Defence. 1.e4 is passe.
Three points for a win is an obvious improvement. No money for a draw will have competitors frothing with rage. The afficiandos will claim that a perfectly played draw is a reward in itself. For the man in the street it is plain dull and for thise of us with long memories the 1962 Candidates Tournament all over again.