World Mind Games Blindfold

The World Mind Games continued with the final event, blindfold. Four rounds were played yesterday with the remaining three rounds to be finished off today.

Blindfold is a tough discipline and there will be bound to be blunders and all sorts of errors happening. The most colorful was the game between Karjakin and Chinese GM Ding Liren.

Karjakin - Ding

The Chinese GM played very speculatively and sacrificing pawns to open lines against the white king. He had even sacrificed an exchange to reach the position above where he had just played 31...Nef5. This is a gamble since black should be mated after 32. Rxa6+  Kb8 33. Nd7+  Kc7 34. Nb6+ and mate on a8 with the rook.

Karjakin did not see this and played 32. Qxb5?? and was mated after 32... Rg2+ 33. Kh1 Ng3#  

Mamedyarov was one of the leaders at the start of the round. He spoiled this position with a free piece.

Mamedyarov-Aronian, after 20...Rf4

After 21. Kg1 Rxh4 22. Nf7+ Kg7 23. Nxh6 Kxh6 24. Re1 he has good winning chances due to his more active pieces and potential queen-side passed pawn. Instead

21. Rc4?? Rxc4 0-1

With this win Aronian is the sole leader after four rounds with 3.5 points.