London Chess Classic

[Matthew Peat]

I noticed the Schedule of the London Chess Classic has been published on the website.

The main event this year will be a six player all-play-all classical event. I suspect the players will be Adams, McShane(?), Jones, Howell + 2 others not playing in either World Championships, World Mind Games (Beijing) or Qatar Masters which are all being held around the same time. This is likely to mean 2 players who have not played before at the LCC as all previous players seemed to be signed up for 1 or more of the above.

I am disappointed at the scheduling for both the Classic and the FIDE open, both of which have start times of 4.30pm on weekdays (the FIDE open also having 2 rounds per day for the concluding 2 days). I thought this might be because the venue was being shared with another event to save costs, but a glance down the schedule indicates that during the day (9.30-15.30) it will be used for "Schools coaching and tournament". I understand the close ties with Chess in Schools and Communities but am not sure why the main event had to be affected (it is in a separate auditorium).

Still looking forward to it, but a bit less spectator/player friendly than in previous years.

[LawrenceCooper]

I noticed the Schedule of the London Chess Classic has been published on the website.

The main event this year will be a six player all-play-all classical event. I suspect the players will be Adams, McShane(?), Jones, Howell + 2 others not playing in either World Championships, World Mind Games (Beijing) or Qatar Masters which are all being held around the same time. This is likely to mean 2 players who have not played before at the LCC as all previous players seemed to be signed up for 1 or more of the above.

I am disappointed at the scheduling for both the Classic and the FIDE open, both of which have start times of 4.30pm on weekdays (the FIDE open also having 2 rounds per day for the concluding 2 days). I thought this might be because the venue was being shared with another event to save costs, but a glance down the schedule indicates that during the day (9.30-15.30) it will be used for "Schools coaching and tournament". I understand the close ties with Chess in Schools and Communities but am not sure why the main event had to be affected (it is in a separate auditorium).

Still looking forward to it, but a bit less spectator/player friendly than in previous years.

The schedule here: http://www.londonchessclassic.com/festi ... edules.htm shows the Classic starting at 16:00 Wed-Fri and 14:00 at the weekend

[LawrenceCooper]

I noticed the Schedule of the London Chess Classic has been published on the website.

The main event this year will be a six player all-play-all classical event. I suspect the players will be Adams, McShane(?), Jones, Howell + 2 others not playing in either World Championships, World Mind Games (Beijing) or Qatar Masters which are all being held around the same time. This is likely to mean 2 players who have not played before at the LCC as all previous players seemed to be signed up for 1 or more of the above.

I am disappointed at the scheduling for both the Classic and the FIDE open, both of which have start times of 4.30pm on weekdays (the FIDE open also having 2 rounds per day for the concluding 2 days). I thought this might be because the venue was being shared with another event to save costs, but a glance down the schedule indicates that during the day (9.30-15.30) it will be used for "Schools coaching and tournament". I understand the close ties with Chess in Schools and Communities but am not sure why the main event had to be affected (it is in a separate auditorium).

Still looking forward to it, but a bit less spectator/player friendly than in previous years.

The schedule here: http://www.londonchessclassic.com/festi ... edules.htm shows the Classic starting at 16:00 Wed-Fri and 14:00 at the weekend It's standard for the Classic to start 30 minutes before the open so the auditorium is full for the start of play. It's also worth bearing in mind that without Chess in Schools and Communities there wouldn't be a London Chess Classic. Having the Classic players involved in an open rapidplay also looks like a very good addition to the schedule.

[Ray Sayers]

I'm too old to be playing the last 4 games of a 9 round FIDE event in 2 days.

Good luck to the young 'uns!

[Paolo Casaschi]

I'm too old to be playing the last 4 games of a 9 round FIDE event in 2 days.

Good luck to the young 'uns!

You'll probably be allowed to take a couple of bye and make it 7 rounds in 7 days.

[Richard Bates]

Presumably it means a return to some rapid time control (2hrs + 1/2 hr or something)?

I can't see how you can have that schedule on the second weekend if you're playing 90'+30' + 30''per move? (even though that is 'officially' a five hour session).

[Roger de Coverly]

I can't see how you can have that schedule on the second weekend if you're playing 90'+30' + 30''per move? (even though that is 'officially' a five hour session).

The e2e4 events usually got away with just an hour's break when using 90 30, but there were some exceptions where the start of all or some of the afternoon games had to be delayed.

[Matthew Lunn]

The lineup for the main event of the 6th London Chess Classic has been finalised:

The six player classical all play all will take place at Olympia London from 10th - 14th December 2014. The participants are (October 2014 ratings):

1. Fabiano Caruana (Italy), 2844
2. Vishy Anand (India), 2785
3. Anish Giri (Netherlands), 2768
4, Hikaru Nakamura (United States of America), 2764
5. Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), 2760
6. Michael Adams (England), 2758

They will also participate in a 10 round Super Rapidplay, which will take place from 6th - 7th December 2014 (see: http://www.londonchessclassic.com/festival_events.htm for further details). This event is open to everyone; under 25s (as of 6.12.2014) and women receive free entry to this and all other London Chess Classic tournaments. Under 25s are also entitled to one free ticket per day to watch the main event live, from either the auditorium or commentary room.

To enter, or buy tickets to the main event please see: http://www.londonchessclassic.com/tickets/

[Matthew Lunn]

For information on the 2nd London Chess and Education Conference, which takes place 6th - 7th December 2014, please see: http://www.londonchessclassic.com/conference/index.htm

[MJMcCready]

The tournament appears to be losing its footing as a world class event, which is sad.

[Graham Borrowdale]

The tournament appears to be losing its footing as a world class event, which is sad.

!!

1. Fabiano Caruana (Italy), 2844
2. Vishy Anand (India), 2785
3. Anish Giri (Netherlands), 2768
4, Hikaru Nakamura (United States of America), 2764
5. Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), 2760
6. Michael Adams (England), 2758

is a world class field in my eyes, and that makes it a world class event

[MJMcCready]

The tournament appears to be losing its footing as a world class event, which is sad.

!!

1. Fabiano Caruana (Italy), 2844
2. Vishy Anand (India), 2785
3. Anish Giri (Netherlands), 2768
4, Hikaru Nakamura (United States of America), 2764
5. Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), 2760
6. Michael Adams (England), 2758

is a world class field in my eyes, and that makes it a world class event

Okay, some confusion. I wasn't aware that they had confirmed. From the page I opened there are no confirmed players as yet.

[Roger de Coverly]

Okay, some confusion. I wasn't aware that they had confirmed. From the page I opened there are no confirmed players as yet.

No names yet forthcoming as entries to the Swiss. This starts two days later than previous schedules and plays the final weekend to a weekend tournament schedule.

[Mick Norris]

The tournament appears to be losing its footing as a world class event, which is sad.

!!

1. Fabiano Caruana (Italy), 2844
2. Vishy Anand (India), 2785
3. Anish Giri (Netherlands), 2768
4, Hikaru Nakamura (United States of America), 2764
5. Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), 2760
6. Michael Adams (England), 2758

is a world class field in my eyes, and that makes it a world class event

Based on the October FIDE rating list, that's the world numbers 2,6,7,9,11 & 12

[MartinCarpenter]

The thing it seems to be losing is it being a venue for top British players to play said world class field. I presume this is a likely cost saving (via shortening the event) of some sort.

Seems sensible enough to me in that context really - only really Adams who can strongly compete in this sort of company right now.