09-01-2013, 02:31 PM
Here is a well-written and interesting summary of Lilov's video, posted by Chris Rice on the ECForum... The entire thread is at http://www.ecforum.org.uk/viewtopic.php?...5&start=30
"Here is a quick and dirty translation of all the best bits of the Lilov article:
"The consensus is that Ivanov played almost perfect chess and followed Houdini in at least 9 out of 10 cases, for each move it was always one of Houdini's top three proposals.
Of course, one may ask, why Ivanov has not won all the games and lost in the second round against GM Ognen Jovanovic? Lilov notes that Ivanov lost to Jovanovic despite almost exclusively following Houdini's recommendations. It was because the position was closed after the opening and we know that in closed positions the computer has been known to play badly. Lilov reveals that Ivanov lost that game by making errors in a totally drawn position.
The following position (you'll have to refer back to the diagram from the ChessBase article <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessbase.de/nachrichten.asp?newsid=13813">http://www.chessbase.de/nachrichten.asp?newsid=13813</a><!-- m --> - ed) Black played 115th ..Bd6? and with the simple white 116.Nf4 it was clear that Black had overlooked the threat of losing the pawn at d5. White then played 116… Bxf4 117.Kxf4 with an easily won pawn ending for White. Lilov explains in the diagram position that Black should have moved his king with 115 …Ke6 116 Nf6 d6 with an easy draw.
In other words, Black had been playing this game almost perfectly, not making any mistakes and then overlooked a simple threat, which forced him to transition into a lost pawn ending. Lilov explained this oversight was probably caused by lack of time and assumes that the correct continuation in the hectic closing stages could not be delivered.
But Ivanov hit back immediately and in round 3 he destroyed GM Bojan Kurajica with brilliant play on two fronts, which was crowned by a tactically precise mating attack. Lilov explains that Houdini is again almost always of the same opinion as Ivanov. The remarkable thing about this game is, however, above all, that Ivanov has played "chaotic, illogical trains of thought" based on hidden tactical options and precise calculation. Lilov also feels its conspicuous that Black, a 2520 GM, contributed almost no resistance.
Round four was followed by a draw against Davorin Kuljasevic, again with striking parallels to Houdini. However, the game was simplified right after the opening so that Black had little tactical ways to outwit his opponent.
In rounds five and six, followed devastating victories against Zelcic and Kozul, both were beaten by mating attacks. And again there was a strong agreement with the proposals by Houdini. Lilov remarks how amazingly accurate and precise Ivanov ‘s play is. Even the best players choose their moves intuitively and this intuition is prone to error.
After round seven, Ivanov is investigated by the tournament committee and following this in round eight the game against Borki Predojevic, in contrast to the previous games, is not broadcast live on the Internet. Lilov shows that Ivanov shows none of the preciseness and creativity from previous rounds and loses pathetically.
In the ninth and final round Ivanov wins in a game then rich with incident and tactically precise against GM Ivan Saric and ends up fourth in the tournament.
Lilov concludes that "more than 95 to 97% of Ivanov's trains of thought are trains of thought that would be suggested by very powerful engines which no man is capable of.
But Lilov is not content to analyse just Zadar, but digs deeper - and reveals more suprises. He looks at the chess career of Ivanov and notes that the Bulgarian had difficulties up to September 2012 of even winning one game against a player rated more than 2200 Elo. Take the first round of the Balkan Belogradchik Chess Festival 2012. Ivanov loses to a player rated 1916 Elo. But then comes the great metamorphosis: Ivanov is transformed overnight into a dangerous and strong player and wins 7/7.
Lilov has no doubt that Ivanov had computer help. At the end of this fascinating video, Lilov impresses with precise analysis and a deep understanding of chess and follows with a further surprise: Lilov shows what tools Ivanov could have taken advantage of: small cameras that can transmit the position to a partner anywhere in the world who is watching and analysing on his computer and a miniature microphone that can be hidden so well and deep in the ear, it cannot be discovered.
Lilov explains, both the camera and microphone in Bulgaria can be bought for about 50 Euro and are a popular tool by students in examinations. To prevent cheating in chess tournaments, Lilov suggests that tournament organizers should have a transmitter that emits noise and prevents the electronic signals."
"Here is a quick and dirty translation of all the best bits of the Lilov article:
"The consensus is that Ivanov played almost perfect chess and followed Houdini in at least 9 out of 10 cases, for each move it was always one of Houdini's top three proposals.
Of course, one may ask, why Ivanov has not won all the games and lost in the second round against GM Ognen Jovanovic? Lilov notes that Ivanov lost to Jovanovic despite almost exclusively following Houdini's recommendations. It was because the position was closed after the opening and we know that in closed positions the computer has been known to play badly. Lilov reveals that Ivanov lost that game by making errors in a totally drawn position.
The following position (you'll have to refer back to the diagram from the ChessBase article <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessbase.de/nachrichten.asp?newsid=13813">http://www.chessbase.de/nachrichten.asp?newsid=13813</a><!-- m --> - ed) Black played 115th ..Bd6? and with the simple white 116.Nf4 it was clear that Black had overlooked the threat of losing the pawn at d5. White then played 116… Bxf4 117.Kxf4 with an easily won pawn ending for White. Lilov explains in the diagram position that Black should have moved his king with 115 …Ke6 116 Nf6 d6 with an easy draw.
In other words, Black had been playing this game almost perfectly, not making any mistakes and then overlooked a simple threat, which forced him to transition into a lost pawn ending. Lilov explained this oversight was probably caused by lack of time and assumes that the correct continuation in the hectic closing stages could not be delivered.
But Ivanov hit back immediately and in round 3 he destroyed GM Bojan Kurajica with brilliant play on two fronts, which was crowned by a tactically precise mating attack. Lilov explains that Houdini is again almost always of the same opinion as Ivanov. The remarkable thing about this game is, however, above all, that Ivanov has played "chaotic, illogical trains of thought" based on hidden tactical options and precise calculation. Lilov also feels its conspicuous that Black, a 2520 GM, contributed almost no resistance.
Round four was followed by a draw against Davorin Kuljasevic, again with striking parallels to Houdini. However, the game was simplified right after the opening so that Black had little tactical ways to outwit his opponent.
In rounds five and six, followed devastating victories against Zelcic and Kozul, both were beaten by mating attacks. And again there was a strong agreement with the proposals by Houdini. Lilov remarks how amazingly accurate and precise Ivanov ‘s play is. Even the best players choose their moves intuitively and this intuition is prone to error.
After round seven, Ivanov is investigated by the tournament committee and following this in round eight the game against Borki Predojevic, in contrast to the previous games, is not broadcast live on the Internet. Lilov shows that Ivanov shows none of the preciseness and creativity from previous rounds and loses pathetically.
In the ninth and final round Ivanov wins in a game then rich with incident and tactically precise against GM Ivan Saric and ends up fourth in the tournament.
Lilov concludes that "more than 95 to 97% of Ivanov's trains of thought are trains of thought that would be suggested by very powerful engines which no man is capable of.
But Lilov is not content to analyse just Zadar, but digs deeper - and reveals more suprises. He looks at the chess career of Ivanov and notes that the Bulgarian had difficulties up to September 2012 of even winning one game against a player rated more than 2200 Elo. Take the first round of the Balkan Belogradchik Chess Festival 2012. Ivanov loses to a player rated 1916 Elo. But then comes the great metamorphosis: Ivanov is transformed overnight into a dangerous and strong player and wins 7/7.
Lilov has no doubt that Ivanov had computer help. At the end of this fascinating video, Lilov impresses with precise analysis and a deep understanding of chess and follows with a further surprise: Lilov shows what tools Ivanov could have taken advantage of: small cameras that can transmit the position to a partner anywhere in the world who is watching and analysing on his computer and a miniature microphone that can be hidden so well and deep in the ear, it cannot be discovered.
Lilov explains, both the camera and microphone in Bulgaria can be bought for about 50 Euro and are a popular tool by students in examinations. To prevent cheating in chess tournaments, Lilov suggests that tournament organizers should have a transmitter that emits noise and prevents the electronic signals."