Hastings

[Alex McFarlane]

The opening ceremony of the 1922 London International Congress featured speeches by various dignitaries, including Andrew Bonar Law, who would become Prime Minister two months later

And was a former President of the Glasgow Chess Club and Scottish Chess Association.

Returning to Hastings, for the first time the originally published draw holds. There were no withdrawals between last night and the start of play. Everyone in the draw is playing. Hopefully the bug is at bay.

[Matthew Carr]

Hi Everyone

We now have 33 liveboards working at Hastings, beating the previous record set at the British Championships.

Commentary is on today and can be found at:

http://www.livestream.com/leylandchess

Hope this helps

[Brendan O'Gorman]

Sound is just a faint squeak.

[Jonathan Rogers]

I assume that Williams' opponent has resigned, and the game is not agreed drawn as suggested on screen?

Also, it would be nice if the Jones game could be revived - currently stuck at move 43.

This thread seems to have died, by the way! Surely quite a few of us are watching the games?

[John Moore]

50 move rule, Jon

[John Moore]

So at least some of us are awake

[John Moore]

Pleased to see Vocatura has headed straight (or fairly so) for the second rank defence. Pretty straightforward to hold.

[Alex McFarlane]

Norm Chances in Round 9

The following are subject to confirmation.

GRANDMASTER NORMS
Rui Gao needs ½ point from 2 games and a 2600 player in round 9 or 1/2 v 2231
Jonathan Hawkins needs 2/2 and a 2287 in round 9

INTERNATIONAL MASTER NORMS
Xiaobing Gu needs 1/2 v 2514 in round 9 or 1½ v 2109
Francis Rayner needs 1½/2 v 2510 in round 9 or 2/2 v 2141
Johannes Kvisla needs ½/2 v 2429 in round 9 or 1 v 2024

Several players are still in the running for a 9 round norm after their bye has been eliminated. These players will be looked at tomorrow along with potential 10 round norms.

[Carl Hibbard]

An interesting Benoni by Gawain, little bit of a risk but one taken to win - nice

[Carl Hibbard]

An interesting Benoni by Gawain, little bit of a risk but one taken to win - nice

As expected a horrible position as Black was achieved

[John Moore]

Funny how Benonis turn round if White fails to keep control though.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I see Hawkins drew, but needed 2/2 for a 9-round norm. Is this a case of waiting for the round 9 draw and waiting to see if he has a chance of a 9-round norm from the 10-round tournament after dropping one of his wins. (I think that is what 1.42e is about)?

http://www.fide.com/component/handbook/ ... icle&id=58

He has certainly met the 'normal foreigner requirement':

http://www.hastingschess.com/2013/SMWSi ... /p012.html

And Kvisla drew and has got an IM norm, so that's good.

[IM Jack Rudd]

I see Hawkins drew, but needed 2/2 for a 9-round norm. Is this a case of waiting for the round 9 draw and waiting to see if he has a chance of a 9-round norm from the 10-round tournament after dropping one of his wins. (I think that is what 1.42e is about)?

He's probably more likely to get a 10-round norm than a 9-round norm with a dropped win; he doesn't have a particularly low-rated opponent worth dropping.

And Kvisla drew and has got an IM norm, so that's good.

Not yet; he needs a 2429 opponent tomorrow. (Or a draw against just about anybody.)

[Clive Blackburn]

An interesting Benoni by Gawain, little bit of a risk but one taken to win - nice

As expected a horrible position as Black was achieved

He does seem to have turned it around now though

[Carl Hibbard]

An interesting Benoni by Gawain, little bit of a risk but one taken to win - nice

As expected a horrible position as Black was achieved

He does seem to have turned it around now though

I didn't see anything wrong with 23. e5 instead of 23. a5 but that was only after a quick glance?

Anyone?