 Today's game at the World Cup between Alexander Moiseenko and David Navara had been remarkable enough already - Navara was initially worse but eventually achieved a pure queen v. rook ending. Peter Svidler and Alexander Morozevich are among those who've failed to deal with the technical task of winning that in 50 moves, but on move 114 Navara had finally reached an easily won position. Then something incredible happened: he offered a draw. Sergey Shipov explained at Crestbook. Shipov had been commentating on the game in Russian for the official website, and was delighted that Navara had finally managed to win. However, as he wrote on the Crestbook forum (the emphasis is Shipov's): I talked to Moiseenko after his game against Navara – they DREW! What happened was as follows: in the first time trouble Navara accidentally touched one of his pieces and if he moved it he’d lose a piece. Moiseenko pardoned him that touch in a short dialogue. It seems a sense of guilt weighed on David and then, having achieved a won position, he considered it wasn’t possible for him to win and offered a draw. All in all, they’re going to play tiebreaks tomorrow. David Navara and Alexander Moiseenko are the noblest representatives of the chess world. Let’s remember their names… You can play through the game at the WhyChess broadcast page. |
Comments
Navara falls for patzer-ploy
While we now know the particulars of what happened, it should be clear to everyone that Navara is a sap who takes sportsmanship to an incomprehensible extreme. The rule states that touch must be intentional, which means this bizarre draw offer is the result of yet another Moiseenko ploy. I hope the sap loses BADLY in the tie-breaks on Monday afternoon!
Somebody had better explain the touch-move rule to Navara...
One would think that these GMs know the rules. Grazing another piece when making a move does not constitute a touch-move offence. Navara was too nice and should have taken the win. Funny how Moiseenko was able to get into Navara's head and win himself a draw!
Navara is an example
Navara is not only a great player, but also a great character.
He did not have to do this, but it is within his rights and was very nice. I hope he gets far. Navara you are the man!
Nice
I am pride of you all!!
Nabara
nabara ang tira mo :)
Hard to understand it..
Watch the video on time 16:02 and recognize board Navara-Moiseenko. Set the HD quality and full screen. There is clearly visible that Navara moved his bishop normally to d6. If there was a king touch, it was clear accident and NOT intention. Fair play prize to Moiseenko? It is a joke !! Unbelievable….
I will only remember David Navara ...
The other guy who tries dirty tricks which are close to bold cheating should not be remembered at all.
I watched the video footage closely and there is clearly a fluid and straight movement by David to make his move and he did NOT touch his king or such directly.
Shame on his opponent to even think of this ploy.
"David Navara and Alexander Moiseenko are the noblest representatives of the chess world. Let’s remember their names…"
There are some justice in the universe!
David Navara winned the tie breake!
Justice has been served!
I somehow get the feeling that David was taken advantage of. But today, he came out guns blazing and totally crushed Moiseenko. This mini-match did have a fairy-tale ending. This is a 2700 GM game and it is a bit childish to make claims about the touch rule. I guess all is well that ends well. We were spared another toilet-gate type discussion (had Navara lost).
-Septimus