2016 Ultimate Blitz Challenge: Day 2

The 2016 U.S. Championship has come to an end, but the fun continues! Over two days, the top three finishers: GM's Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, and Wesley So will join Garry Kasparov in an unrated exhibition blitz tournament.
2016.04.29
USChessChamps.com

[@lllllllllllllllllIll]

Timestamps 5:40 Program starts 16:00 So vs Kasparov | Caruana vs Nakamura 31:00 Kasparov vs Nakamura | So vs Caruana 47:35 Nakamura vs So | Caruana vs Kasparov 1:13:40 Kasparov vs So | Nakamura vs Caruana 1:28:37 Nakamura vs Kasparov | Caruana vs So 1:43:35 So vs Nakamura | Kasparov vs Caruana 2:08:58: So vs Kasparov | Caruana vs Nakamura 2:25:40: Kasparov vs Nakamura | So vs Caruana 2:41:48: Nakamura vs So | Caruana vs Kasparov 2:54:56: [SPOILER] Final standings 2:55:52: [SPOILER] Interview #1 3:00:00: [SPOILER] Interview #2 3:06:27: [SPOILER] Interview #3 3:15:40: [SPOILER] Interview with the winner

[@bektasuteubekov5788]

You're a saint

[@AgentSmith911]

+Classico Thanks Pepe

[@shidqi1435]

thx

[@patriciareporto9968]

lovely absolutely lovely

[@EsotericRogue]

2:25:47 Shahade learns how to pronounce "meme."

[@dale2222222]

This would be more enjoyable to watch if maurice ashley would calm down a little so you weren't rolling your eyes at him the whole broadcast. Still, thanks for hosting and posting this CC&SCSL

[@scanefez1086]

The game Wesley-Kasparov at 16:00 is just wow!!! Wesley dominated Kasparov from beginning to end!!!

[@scanefez1086]

I recommend to watch the Wesley-Kasparov game at 16:00. The best game in this event and probably the best blitz game of the century! Defeating a former world champion in this fashion is so memorable. Congrats Wesley and thank you for this game.

[@p1nesap]

Thanks CCSCSL, the fabulous crew, players and Garry for this amazing event. The collective joy you create might even transcend the game itself.

[@malekandjrod]

I love Yasser Seirawan, such a great personality in Chess. I recall watching the BBC Master Game tournaments where he featured and his comments on the games were always so entertaining and instructive.

[@milleoscar]

Such a nice person and chess player garry is, donating the 10 000 to the US chess team and at the same time doing much better than most people expected, well done Garry!

[@U1608]

I have to say game 1 So vs kasparov is one of the best game I have ever seen! An immortal game against the best player ever! Wow Kudos to Wesley for that gem of a game! I'm going to study So's games from now on.

[@spurriousgod]

12:00 good one from Shahade about Kasparov's pre-match focus and intensity, observed at breakfast that morning, "it looked like he was about to checkmate the eggs." lol

[@melodychest9020]

+spurriousgod LOL .. man! The eggs would have been saying, "We are already cooked, don't skewer us now!!"

[@Foxhound3857]

+Melody Chest "Oh God, he forked my yolks. I resign."

[@singlespies]

Many thanks to Sinquefield and the St. Louis Chess Club for the excellent coverage of these events. Also, thanks to Yasser, Jennifer, and Maurice for their commentary - expert and entertaining! You make it look easy+

[@gigisdad]

I can imagine Garry telling the old guy at 1:41:42 "These fucking kids!" lol

[@nwa4life312]

thank to Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis for this incredible event ... it is the most enjoyable chess broadcast ever ... this also shown by the number of views of yesterdays show

[@howardw0072]

For those who seem 'surprised' that Kasparov can still play at this level at his age or the remarks about this old dog etc...... Kasparov has long since retired from the blitz tournament circuits and it's still readily apparent by anyone with a rating above 1600 that he was by far the most talented, imaginative and innovative player in the room by a mile. If it wasn't for a few horrible blunders in basically won positions under time pressure he would've more than likely finished on top IMO.

[@jonathanhockey9943]

Thanks Commentators, and players, an amazing event and exhibition of top level chess play, really enjoyed it

[@kasparov9]

Incredibly annoying commentators...3 at the same time it difficult to follow.

[@marcusmayeda8092]

Why is everybody talking shit on Maurice's commenting. He's the best we got.

[@jerrycrus]

+Marcus Mayeda yup i like him

[@tobymaroby9524]

"And BAM!" - Maurice Ashley

[@marcusmayeda8092]

Ya he is

[@MultiCaliffa]

The trash talking was absolutely predominant, according to the engines.

[@AlonsoRules]

The old dog still can play

[@bach5861]

+Anthony Kernich W. Steiniz once told: "I'm an old dog, but you'd better not to put your finger in my mouth: I still can bite!"

[@singlespies]

And thanks Garry! You're the greatest.

[@noidph]

Wow. This is the first time I've seen the So-Kasparov game. Genius and crushing game by Wesley! Brilliant, brilliant! Mabuhay!

[@bonerici]

How can anyone dislike this video. one if the most exciting chess events in years

[@IndigoBassNotes]

+Eric Taylor Dislikes are from people who are not really Chess fans , simple as that, they are just PlayStation people .Perhaps not enough sex and violence for them.

[@SteveRunciman]

I want GM Ben Finegold either competing or commenting.

[@patrickchilvers2468]

Seriously, Maurice needs to talk less. I don't care what the machine says, I prefer the GMs. Let us look and think.

[@spurriousgod]

+Patrick Chilvers I appreciate him pointing out an interesting engine winning line on occasion, but he doesn't need to constantly announce what the engine move is for every position - I'd prefer hearing human reasoning in general. He overdid it with the engine comments.

[@phuckcoocle6316]

+spurriousgod I agree that its better to hear human judgement in general rather than the engine lines, but Garry, Naka, So and Fabi are so strong! Where do you find human who could instantly grasp all the positions, seeing the winning lines and comment at the same time?!

[@lollipophugo]

+Phuck Coocle I think the balance is pretty good to be honest, and it makes it more impressive when one of the players finds the crusher on their own (Yasser's Bd4 spot for example gave me a smile). At the end of the day following the train of calculation of 4 2700+ players at blitz pace without engines is just not feasible, amd I think the fast pace of commentary adds to the excitement. One can always look at the games in the calm afterward.

[@IndigoBassNotes]

1:58 Look how brilliant Maurice is with the Koch elementary kids ! He is engaging and likable . It's clear that he has got these kids excited about Chess !

[@bretthard6660]

you`re absolutely right! great action!

[@explore188]

Garry is so a nice person! I was always smiling when saw his smile or even thoughts. We want to see him playing chess more often!

[@Trickmagic1992]

+Explore! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[@shidqi1435]

nice

[@100nacional100]

i love kasparov

[@Eeeff]

Have you guys considered having just one commentator for these Blitz matches? I think the stories from Yasser are great, and the suggestions made by all 3 of them as to what the player's ideas must be throughout the game, but having a single commentator (I'd suggest Maurice) would allow a more synced coverage and an easier time following the game as it's being played. I hope you do consider this, I feel it would really polish off this kind of sport-like coverage.

[@wiscatbijles]

+Daniel Efford Agree, they're just shouting like crazy.

[@tharindanimnajith3525]

+Daniel Efford I would love to see Yasser & Maurice as the commentators.. Alejandro can do segments here and there!

[@varan22]

I'd like to watch a duo commentators of Sierawan and Svidler.

[@Eeeff]

I'm a little shocked! I understand the quality of Yasser's commentary, but when it comes to Blitz chess he's just too slow! Duel commentary could work, but again, the game soars by when two people start comparing variations. I strongly believe one quick commentator would do the job well, but if they really wanted two for Blitz chess, they'd need two quick ones, like Maurice and perhaps Alejandro.

[@Breeelax]

Garry can still run with these kids.

[@dontplaywhenursad933]

I don't know why, but somehow Wesley So reminds me of Fez from the 70s Show. Both very nice!

[@lollipophugo]

+Joe Sikow It's the lisp! I cant unsee this now hahaha

[@cesarperez-sg4cn]

thanks. CCSCSL for this event. It was a dream watch kasparov playing . this event is history and joy for collection.

[@sanferrera]

"Wooooowww" :)

[@SinSciSS0rs]

This was an overall spectacular show. Kudos to Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St.Louis, you did a fantastic job!

[@msachet]

Thanks for this incredible event, what a treat!

[@melodychest9020]

Great Stuff! BTW, who is that Gentleman who hangs around Kasparov?

[@damiangilz]

+Melody Chest His manager

[@SinSciSS0rs]

+Melody Chest Michael Khodarovsky,FIDE Senior Trainor and best friend.

[@melodychest9020]

+Damian Gil Lozano Thanks! Nice of the Manager to be by Kasparov. Afterall even this event seemed quite stressful! Wow, what play by Kasparov!

[@melodychest9020]

+Mark John Barroga Thanks!. and Manager as Damian said. This whole event was amazing!

[@SinSciSS0rs]

+Melody Chest Yeah your welcome.

[@boudewijngreven]

from 3:06:30 to 3:14:24 I counted the amount of "you knows" from Kasparov, and it came down to a grand total of 96.

[@libertyprime9307]

+hunterdudexonrs I've done this before with his "uh"s and "um"s in one of his speeches about the FIDE presidency, and it was several hundred.

[@boudewijngreven]

+Liberty Prime hahaha really? that's insane

[@lollipophugo]

+hunterdudexonrs almost like english isn't his native language. Oh wait..

[@boudewijngreven]

+lollipophugo I know, and I'm not blaming him, just thought it was funny

[@PriveGitaarles]

the delay on the left side screen is incredibly annoying, don't understand why they even upload this crap

[@dillonfeast6407]

If Maurice's excitement and flavor wasn't added to the broadcast the broadcast would be hard to watch. He makes the matches exciting to watch. Imagine watching 6 hours of chess waiting for moves with same monotone voices you get on all chess commentary. Vdiler and Jan were ok doing the Norway commentating but it would be hard taking them for 5 plus hours. Also, Yaser mention that he would pay to watch Naka and Carlsen play a blitz match. Chess should mimic boxing and have such matches where viewers can pay for certain matches. Of course, the top drawer would get the greater revenue that the event draws.

[@COCOLEAF1169]

I hope they Maurice Ashley well. Best chess commentator by far. Makes it energetic, and exciting. That game Wesley crushed Garry was priceless. Had to rewatch it for the chess masterpiece, and Maurice's excitement

[@lucruijsink6512]

Awesome event, and great job by the commentators, as ever, for delivering insightful and quick commentary throughout! Just one note, (not for the commentators, I know this is all in the heat of the moment, it's helpful for beginners though), at 2:23:37 if white plays Kg7, not only is the knight untouchable, Kg7 immediately loses because there is ..h5 and the pawn runs. Any other rank and it's fine to approach a pawn from the side, but you cannot do that when they are on the home square.

[@SumoGambit]

Jesus Christ, can't they provide better hosting for this event. Looks like a 3 bedroom apartment. Players going to the break in the kitchen and in the basement. The room where they play is like a double children size bedroom, split in half for audience and players.

[@Darkarix]

Shahade is HOT but her piercing voice is somewhat annoying. Seirawan has a soothing voice but his analysis is slow for blitz. Maurice has that ghetto attitude of street chess but he's throwing into too much engine moves... And if this wasn't messy enough Garry is still playing the best chess (forget the first blunders, he would have turned out first)

[@anishgupta835]

unbelieavable broadcast

[@khann2159]

I've never made this comparison before, but I was thinking about Fisher's performance against Spassky when he was in his 50's on the rematch and Garry is way way better

[@herrschnupke4044]

Excellent tournament!!!

[@CountOSM]

Simply the most entertaining and memorable broadcast ever from the st louis chess club! Or any chess club!

[@jeffwads]

No surprise that Naka won, but So performance was insane. That game with Kasparov was brilliant.

[@kingcarisma]

"Its very easy maurice..just play Nh6 in these kind of positions"...it wasnt that easy yasser now was it..

[@Foxhound3857]

16:00 Paul Morphy took his time machine to 2016 to play Garry Kasparov.

[@catlord69]

As I first saw Fabi's face in this video, I wanted to be next to him and tell him: " It will be okay". He just looked so scared

[@napoliav]

on 24:31 why Kasparov didn't play Bishop to F8 (my rating is between 800 & 900)

[@Badbishop4point3]

As it stands Kasparov is the best ever but that could change. Nakamura has long been great at blitz but today we see that he is a great person. Congratulations Hikaru!

[@Nabium]

Same as first day, Yasser tries to update his board by switching to the other game and then back, and every time he does it Maurice goes "but this is the other game, not that interesting let's get back to the...". So cute.

[@Maltebyte2]

I know its a wierd question but i wonder how many games of chess garry has played in his life. could it be in the millions?

[@geckospecks1084]

This entire video is just a slow and subtle Red Bull commercial. God Naka is a beast

[@PraveenKumar-ph6jh]

Just Awesome!!

[@bretthard6660]

best chess coverage ever!! no doubt about that!

[@harryh2185]

Garry's reaction on 2:30:50 and his glance at Nakamura :D

[@leandroearth]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kasparov still THE Boss!! Only one win out of his blunders and he would be champ Nice fighting play in Kasparov x Nakamura.... impressive

[@Trickmagic1992]

+Leandro the light boss his house

[@00bikeboy]

Kasparov: very classy sharing a laugh over his loss to So.

[@bretthard6660]

best chess coverage ever!! no doubt about that!

[@djuri1985]

I would like to see Wesley to win. He deserves it!

[@smwg4187]

Hope Maurice Ashley won't commentate anymore, his shouting and faked enthusiasm are completely inappropriate for a high profile chess tournament, he'd be more in place as a wrestling commentator.

[@Eorzat]

"Inappropriate" haha. Chess has been stereotyped and profiled as being an "intellectual's game" and, because of this, things "should" be "proper" and not "savage" like other sports. Maurice Ashley's aim here is to break that view of Chess and to create an atmosphere of commentating that most people who watch sports (at least American ones) are used to. It's actually entirely appropriate because Blitz Chess is both unpredictable and fast-paced which creates a natural excitement within the audience. Maurice Ashley wants people who don't normally watch/play Chess to understand why Chess is considered a sport. Thus, he commentates like a regular Sports commentator.

[@Cyrano1202]

Please bring on Kasparov - Carlsen ...

[@hazemsalem8495]

yessss

[@hazemsalem8495]

i wish that happens

[@IndigoBassNotes]

+Cyrano1202 Those days are over for Mr. Kasparov ...he had his time to wear the crown.

[@cesarperez-sg4cn]

jen. can you teach me chess, please.

[@DRD363]

I love how they practically kissed nakamuras assistance at the beginning of the last kasparov match but it was garry who got the last laugh!

[@janzvolsky6178]

Watching this event I learned about chess like in two years time. Thanks

[@imanbio]

so nice to see Gary play

[@epowouid6715]

When's day three?

[@markbroe423]

I am so appreciative of these videos. Thanks to all involved.

[@EGarrett01]

3:12:27 "yes yes yes!"

[@MrOttopants]

So played an amazing game against Kasparov. He was 4-1 against him.

[@tharindanimnajith3525]

+MrOttopants Helped by couple of blunders...

[@theo7371]

+MrOttopants He got lucky a couple of times because Kasparov blundered twice against him (one in a clearly winning position and another one in a good position). Kasparov was also about to make a careless blunder vs Naka at that time with the knight he let go but Naka kindly let him get away with changing his move. Other than the careless blunders because of the rust and age, Kasparov did play very good chess. He could have given Naka competition for first. He did show his stuff though especially day 1. He did win the minimatch vs Naka though so that's a consolation.

[@MrOttopants]

Tharinda Nimnajith I have to remember to tell my opponents that blunders don't count.

[@theo7371]

MrOttopants They count but that's on Kasparov not on So. He beat Kasparov but not because he played well, but because Kasparov choked a winning position and a good position. The first game of day 2 where he dominated Kasparov was very good though.

[@MrOttopants]

theo konstantellos It's a blitz game. Blunders are part of the game. That's how it works. That's why blitz is different from classical.

[@bartoszjozwik3413]

Amazing

[@hansg6015]

When is So and Kasparov immortal?

[@mtomazza]

16:00

[@cooldaddy3431]

I'm very disappointed, where is 720p format???

[@jeffwads]

+Cool Daddy Patience is a virtue...it takes time to process the video to 720p.

[@cooldaddy3431]

+jeffwads Thank you!

[@tunit6458]

Накамура молодец!

[@IndigoBassNotes]

2:42:40 Yes Jen .

[@JuicersSuck]

Talk about an emotional roller coaster for faby. #2 in world , just won us championship and then get walked on. Ouch.

[@simonenoli4418]

fabi isnt a blitz player xD he loves to think