Last 8, my predictions.

[Javier]

Here's what we've been waiting for, the last 8 players in the World Cup 2007:

 

1: Karjakin (UCR, 2694) - Alekseev (RUS, 2716)

2: Cheparinov (BUL, 2670) - Carlsen (NOR, 2714)

3: Ponomariov (UCR, 2705) - Kamsky (USA, 2714)

4: Jakovenko (RUS, 2710) - Shirov (ESP, 2739)

 

Shirov has been playing some amazing chess and I'd really like him to win, not just because he plays for Spain , but because I think the chess world "owes him" after he defeated Kramnik in that famous match and then Kasparov chickened out and refused to play him...

If Kamsnky survives the opening, he might beat Ponomariov. He's definitely the strongest minded player of those 8!

I think Alekseev will beat Karjakin.

As for Carlsen, he's favourite against Cheparinov, although I don't think he'll get further than that in this competition.

Anyway, recently Carlsen is being called the "Bionic kid" after displaying some really amazing technique to win games like the following (pay attention to white's knight on a1!) :

 

[Event "World Cup"]

[site "Khanty-Mansiysk RUS"]

[Date "2007.12.03"]

[Round "4.1"]

[White "Carlsen, M."]

[black "Adams, Mi"]

[Result "1-0"]

[ECO "E36"]

[WhiteElo "2714"]

[blackElo "2729"]

[PlyCount "153"]

[EventDate "2007.11.24"]