Carlsen-Caruana Chess World Championship

[frankbmd]

So how does the betting work in chess?

Bet on either player to win in a match and you lose.

Bet on a tie and you get your money back.

Bet on both players to win and you lose double.

If you factor in the bookie, you lose every time.

Checkmate for the bookie.

[barrysloate]

I don't think the bookies are getting big chess money.

It would be amazing if Caruana, playing with the white pieces, pulls out a win in game 12. But I'm not counting on it.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I predict Magnus wins game 12.

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I predict Magnus wins game 12.

It wouldn't surprise me, and I might second your prediction.

Overall, this match has been very disappointing. In the early 1960's, when Bobby Fischer played Mikhail Tal, nearly every game was a titanic struggle. They often featured amazing attacks, deep combinations, piece sacrifices, and incredible artistry that these two geniuses were able to create. They were truly a thing of beauty.

The current match is dull and uninspiring. The players are playing mostly heavily analyzed positions, that they might tweak with a new move here and there. Both are risk averse, and the games have very little creativity. I have yet to see any great plan in even a single game. Too bad.

[mark evans]

I likewise have been following the match. I think the dull play is attributable to the significant advance in computer programs in recent years. I think both players are extremely well prepared as a result of computer analysis and realize that risky play will almost certainly be met with defeat. I hope Fabiano finds a way to win game 12 but I'm not optimistic.

[Peter_Spaeth]

If game 12 is a draw, I think organized chess has a real problem on its hands. If you're Magnus, and you figure you probably have a big advantage in a tiebreaker, and you're playing black, do you just play for the draw unless Fabiano makes a major blunder? On the other hand, will anyone really respect a champion who couldn't win even ONE conventional game? So maybe he plays aggressively after all.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Perhaps somewhere, Robert James Fischer is looking up (I assume) with contempt.

[mark evans]

I agree that chess at the highest levels may well be in trouble, especially insofar as public interest. It appears that championship matches henceforth may unfortunately always or nearly always be resolved by rapid or blitz games.

I'm disappointed that this match is not receiving more publicity given first American player since Fischer in '72.