Flatline chess

Definition of flatline:
1)a: to register on an electronic monitor as having no brain waves or heartbeat b: die

2)a: to be in a state of no progress or advancement b: to come to an end

The second game of the match between the #2 & #3 players in the world has, mercifully, ended. If you go to the official website you will see that the high water mark was when White played his 5th move, d4, which put him ahead, according to Houdini, by 0.29 ‘puter units. If you look at the graph on the page, you will see that it is basically a flat line…From move 25 on there was no plug to pull. They continue playing Zombie chess for some time, continuing to beat that poor ol’ dead horse, not wishing to be forced to play a quick game, I suppose.

I am reminded of the moribund game of checkers…It got so bad in that game that, near the end, openings were chosen so that the openings that were almost a guaranteed draw were not allowed.

Kramnik had black, and he was probably feeling extra-cautious after his endgame senior moment yesterday.

The April 23rd Chessbase article on the 2nd game featured the teaser lead-in: “In the post mortem a spectator showed the players a devilishly clever win that both had overlooked. You will never guess who this super-talent was.”

The video clearly shows that Daria (Kramnik’s three-year-old daughter) suggested:
Reinsert the captured black queen on a8, with a winning advantage for her daddy!