English Chess Forum

What's happening in Hill-Burrows and Rudd-Richards?

Actually I now slightly prefer White after 15 e4. Mmm, that didn't take long, though it is still just a position, I suppose.

Jonathan Rogers wrote:Actually I now slightly prefer White after 15 e4. Mmm, that didn't take long, though it is still just a position, I suppose.

Still theory. Looks more pleasant for White to me too.

Chess24's online comp seems to want to go o-o-o and sacrifice the piece on f5 after f4(!). Doubt we'll see that

They round the IM/GM requirement up? Could be a bit of a problem for Akshaya too then, although she is at least allowed to use WIM's so I guess we might see the draw bent slightly to make her number up. Or is that banned?

MartinCarpenter wrote:Chess24's online comp seems to want to go o-o-o and sacrifice the piece on f5 after f4(!). Doubt we'll see that

I was wondering if 15... Bc6 16. f4 Qf4 17. ef5 Rd8 was possible, but decided it wasn't! That line is probably a better version. (edit: definitely a better version )

"Technical problems" on the video commentary again today. Wish they'd get this sorted rather than just carry on commentating with a blank screen.

Edit - seems their ears must have been burning - they're going to take an early break and sort it out by the sounds of things.

Hold your breath in Arkell-Summerscale!

JustinHorton wrote:Hold your breath in Arkell-Summerscale!

16 Nxd5 just played. Chess 24's engine says Keith is winning.

I see Howell decided to take a day off to recover. His long think was presumably about whether or not to offer a draw.

Tim Harding wrote:

JustinHorton wrote:Hold your breath in Arkell-Summerscale!

16 Nxd5 just played. Chess 24's engine says Keith is winning.

I see Howell decided to take a day off to recover. His long think was presumably about whether or not to offer a draw.

Yes although he might be confident of beating everyone else left to play, even on demand. He'd much rather see a draw on board one today, all the same.

He's got it.

Jonathan Rogers wrote:

Tim Harding wrote:

JustinHorton wrote:Hold your breath in Arkell-Summerscale!

16 Nxd5 just played. Chess 24's engine says Keith is winning.

I see Howell decided to take a day off to recover. His long think was presumably about whether or not to offer a draw.

Yes although he might be confident of beating everyone else left to play, even on demand. He'd much rather see a draw on board one today, all the same.

He got his wish on top board.

Jonathan B, do you want one more day before making your prediction?

That goes for the rest of you too...

I am going to say "Howell on Saturday".

Jonathan Rogers wrote:Jonathan B, do you want one more day before making your prediction?

That goes for the rest of you too...

I am going to say "Howell on Saturday".

"It's up for grabs now" as a sports commentator once said: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFo1eyWbTtc

There is an award of thirty minutes after move 40, isn't there?

Jonathan Rogers wrote:John Emms and Chris Ward seem to have abandoned the arrangment by which neither player plays their regular opening in a competitive game between them. Admittedly that did make more sense 20 years ago when they were sharing a flat. But it did lead to a rather horrible game on rather an important occasion (last round, 1997).

Looks like they've made an arrangement to decide it by blitz instead.

or the board's down...