bahneh's world

It doesn't really concern me that much. And here's why:

1) First of all, at the moment I've got no plans to part with 10 euros (around 55 UAE dirhams or roughly P700) just to view each game live - repeat, that's the cost to watch each game live - through "five parallel video streams." Actually, I reckon it would be quite interesting to watch the two titans trade wits live (and from different angles!), but the best to enjoy this facility I think is when I don't have to hit the alt-tab keys of my computer keyboard a little too often to shift to other more important stuff like, uhm, office work. Live chess and live office work aren't really a perfect match for me - right now, at least.

2) I can watch the live game without paying - although sans the live videos. Definitely not a bad deal.

3) The foidoschess website, which delivers the live game and video feed through a new chess broadcast technology, is blocked in the UAE where I'm currently based. I didn't really go as far as finding out why, mainly because of the same reasons mentioned above, but now that it's taken so long for this problem to be fixed, I got a little curious and sent some emails to hopefully the relevant persons.

Anyway, Game 5 and Anand were simply fantistic. But just as remarkable was Kramnik - off the board, that is - with the way he handled himself after the loss (the second time in this match with the white pieces!).

Kramnik even managed to draw a hearty laugh from the audience when he flashed a smile and said in the post-game conference, "It could have been better," in reaction to being down 0-2 for the first time in a world championship match. Such composure from a guy who could be on the brink of a humliating defeat - and yes, from someone who's reputation of invincibility with the white pieces has just been shattered just a few moments ago.

A chilling message to his Indian adversary, indeed.

Regardless, Anand remains my man. You've just got to admire his courage to repeat a highly complex line - with the black pieces and against possibly the most dangerous player you could find in the planet.

Anand, the consummate professional that he is, will of course put all this behind for now. As I write this, he is about to make his 18th move in Game 6 as tries to solve some middle game problems after, the way I see it, Kramnik has gathered some sort of initiative in the center in exchange for giving up the bishop pair (although I suspect that 18Bb4 will ultimately reveal the real weakness of this risky line that Kramnik has chosen).

While all this is happening, I simply can't wait to see what the two players have in store for Game 7.