English Chess Forum

Although, as I have found out, NOT FIDE rated if you don't play the 'right' opponents or enough games

Indeed. Not much we can do about it unfortunately given the different treatment of leagues compared with all play alls for FIDE rating purposes.

The Championship is up to 75 entries (this was the size of the field in 2009), despite having fewer GMs than would normally enter. Total entries have now come to 751. 7 Grandmasters have entered (Conquest joined recently; no one seemed to point it out here), so it's not nearly as bad as some people thought it would be.

You'll be able to follow my personal odyssey of fruiting around the bottom of the pile via daily posts on Release The Kraken.

Perhaps a mini-competition you can look to win: The best University student (or at least, ones who played in the BUCA event). Four players who played in Oxford are in the field: Dorrington, Maciol, Jackson and yourself.

You know, I think I'll go for the Under 21 title instead - only Jackson of the aforementioned appears in that category. Obviously, there are many other tough cookies to surpass. Though if I finished ahead of the three players you mentioned, I'd probably score at least 6/11 which should be enough. Fat chance of that though.

I like your blog, though like most blogs it may be hard to keep it up - but I'll be watching! I will try and get it a plug on the main site. If you know any other blogs being updated during the event, do let us know!

The "tail" seems long this year. Try pairing the bottom 20 of the Championship against the top 20 of the Major Open. On ratings the Major Open look to be favourites.

Yes, true. What I meant was that out of the small pool of players also eligible for the Under 21 prize, any one of them has the potential to get 5½ or 6 which makes the race for the title very competitive. David Howell would normally walk it.

There are quite a few eligible for the U21 prize: Ynojosa, Jackson, Brown, Salimbeni, two Jones', Williams, Clarke, Galliano, Grant, Sathyanandha, Dines, Messam-Sparks, Tambini... including yourself. That's probably the most competitive prize being awarded.

Last year David Howell won both. This year the rules look as if you aren't eligible for both the U18 and U21.

Nope. I only make it myself, Jackson, Brown, Bucher and McCullough. The Under 18 titles however will be extremely competitive.

Edit: Roger got there before me.

Oh, OK then. I don't think I like that rule change, but oh well.

If its those 5 for U21, does anyone want a match bet, I take my 2 sharks(the lowest 2 rated?) and u can have the other 3. Anyone up for a flutter?

Ben

damn i am too old for the u21 prize......looks like i will be leaving empty handed this year lol