Riga Open

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Leonard Barden
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Riga Open

Post by Leonard Barden » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:20 pm

English teenager Isaac Sanders, after reaching 2.5/3 with a win and a draw against 2400 IMs, this afternoon has a downfloat to.......Alexei Shirov.

http://rtuopen.lv/en/content/live-games

Lewis Martin
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Lewis Martin » Tue Aug 19, 2014 2:55 pm

Leonard Barden wrote:English teenager Isaac Sanders, after reaching 2.5/3 with a win and a draw against 2400 IMs, this afternoon has a downfloat to.......Alexei Shirov.

http://rtuopen.lv/en/content/live-games
A great opportunity to play a 2700! Incidentally, his good start means that his live rating is above 2300 giving him the option of the FM title, should he choose to do so.

Leonard Barden
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Leonard Barden » Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:34 pm

Computer says Qc5 a mistake, big advantage for Sanders now with 16 Qh4 and 17 f4.

Lewis Martin
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Lewis Martin » Tue Aug 19, 2014 4:11 pm

On move 18, wasn't Be7 playable, with the idea of e5 to follow up? One had to be aware of the counter of ...bxa4 with Qb4 to follow, where Black could take the queenside but I think this isn't strong enough to deter White from playing on the kingside.

Leonard Barden
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Leonard Barden » Tue Aug 19, 2014 4:50 pm

Lewis Martin wrote:On move 18, wasn't Be7 playable, with the idea of e5 to follow up? One had to be aware of the counter of ...bxa4 with Qb4 to follow, where Black could take the queenside but I think this isn't strong enough to deter White from playing on the kingside.
The computer concurs with your view. After Isaac's more complex plan in the game, White's edge disappeared, and from Rxf5? (Bxa4) Black has been winning.

Lewis Martin
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Lewis Martin » Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:30 pm

Leonard Barden wrote:
Lewis Martin wrote:On move 18, wasn't Be7 playable, with the idea of e5 to follow up? One had to be aware of the counter of ...bxa4 with Qb4 to follow, where Black could take the queenside but I think this isn't strong enough to deter White from playing on the kingside.
The computer concurs with your view. After Isaac's more complex plan in the game, White's edge disappeared, and from Rxf5? (Bxa4) Black has been winning.
Heh, well it was a bit strange and risky, but presumably he miscalculated somewhere down the line and didn't notice the fact that Shirov's queen was covering h6 until it was too late!

I'm sure that if instead, he played Bxa4 (as you mentioned) it was looking strong for White. Not entirely conclusive, but I'd still prefer the White pieces.

A shame for Isaac, that he wasn't able to put a dent into Shirov's reputation as a great tactician. I'm sure he will be bounce back in no time!

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Carl Hibbard
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Carl Hibbard » Tue Aug 19, 2014 9:19 pm

Awesome to even play the guy to be honest.
Cheers
Carl Hibbard

Lewis Martin
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Lewis Martin » Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:54 pm

Just noticed in the starting list, James Jackson is in Riga too. He has been par for the course so far, wins with White against lower rated opposition, and losses as Black against higher rated opposition.

Best of luck to James and Isaac for achieving norms.

Niall Doran
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Niall Doran » Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:11 pm

Can anyone explain the huge number of GMs (roughly 25) at this tournament, relative to the meagre prize fund? Considering the cost of travel, hotel + food, I'd imagine anyone finishing outside the 10th place (500 euros) is going to lose money for a week's work.

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IM Jack Rudd
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Re: Riga Open

Post by IM Jack Rudd » Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:18 pm

Niall Doran wrote:Can anyone explain the huge number of GMs (roughly 25) at this tournament, relative to the meagre prize fund? Considering the cost of travel, hotel + food, I'd imagine anyone finishing outside the 10th place (500 euros) is going to lose money for a week's work.
The tournament probably has a healthy conditions fund.

Nick Burrows
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Nick Burrows » Sun Aug 24, 2014 11:11 pm

Fun game - 20. Nxd5!


Lewis Martin
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Lewis Martin » Sun Aug 24, 2014 11:22 pm

That kid is something isn't he?!

Chris Rice
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Re: Riga Open

Post by Chris Rice » Wed Aug 27, 2014 7:11 am

The game Rapport-Melkumyan with a Basmaneque opening really caught by attention.

http://www.chess.com/news/melkumyan-edg ... -open-3831

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