David Howell at the Dubai Open

Leonard Barden · Post by **Leonard Barden** » Thu Apr 09, 2015 4:45 pm

Am I the only one following this event?

David Howell is top seeded at 2687 ahead of a flock of Russians and East Europeans. First prize is $12,000. After reaching 3/3 with a nice endgame tactic against former world No5 Jaan Ehlvest, he is currently (4.45pm) a pawn up with a good position against Sergey Volkov (live on ChessBomb), and his rating is creeping closer to 2700.

Christopher Kreuzer · Post by **Christopher Kreuzer** » Thu Apr 09, 2015 4:54 pm

Looks to be completely won now. Let's hope Howell can continue to lead, win the tournament, and go over 2700!

Nick Burrows · Post by **Nick Burrows** » Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:10 pm

Smashed!

Leonard Barden · Post by **Leonard Barden** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 10:52 am

David's rating reached a new career best of 2697 with his round 4 victory above. In this morning's round 5 he drew easily as Black against a co-leader Nils Grandelius SWE, and is now in a tie for first on 4.5/5 with four others, of whom the most notable is the 20-year-old No2 seed Vladimir Fedoseev RUS.

David Howell is White against Alexander Shabalov 2500 USA in round 6 (double round day today after yesterday's rest day) which is about to start! (3pm BST). You can follow David's game live with computer commentary on ChessBomb or Chess24.

Leonard Barden · Post by **Leonard Barden** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 3:06 pm

Round 6 now under way, with Howell v Shabalov opening 1 c4 f5.

Tim Harding · Post by **Tim Harding** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 3:43 pm

Howell already having long thinks and falling way behind on the clock, as per usual. Over 20 minutes so far on his 11th move.

The tournament schedule seems a bit strange. No round yesterday but a blitz tournament. Was this because of some religious requirement?

At least with the later start to this round, there presumably won't be the 15-minute prayer break at 6pm (with clocks stopped) that was reported in relation to rounds 1-4.

Leonard Barden · Post by **Leonard Barden** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 4:49 pm

If the ChessBomb clock times are right, Howell has a small edge but is only at move 14 so has 26 moves to make in 13 minutes plus increments.

Tim Harding · Post by **Tim Harding** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 5:09 pm

Leonard Barden wrote:If the ChessBomb clock times are right, Howell has a small edge but is only at move 14 so has 26 moves to make in 13 minutes plus increments.

He is now having a big think at move 16 leaving about 10 minutes to reach move 40.

How strong could Howell be if he used his time properly?

NickFaulks · Post by **NickFaulks** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 5:34 pm

I don't understand anything about that game.

David Sedgwick · Post by **David Sedgwick** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 10:02 am

About the Dubai Open, NOT about David Howell:

There has been a cheating scandal at the event.

http://chess-news.ru/en/node/18610

Tim Harding · Post by **Tim Harding** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 2:29 pm

David Sedgwick wrote:About the Dubai Open, NOT about David Howell:

There has been a cheating scandal at the event.

http://chess-news.ru/en/node/18610

Shocking indeed. If true the player has been doing this for a long time. Can he/ will he be banned and/or stripped of his rating and GM title like the French players who cheated at the olympiad in 2012?

On another point, can anyone explain the accelerated pairing system being used in Dubai?

Why is Howell today about to play an opponent who is a whole point behind him?

IM Jack Rudd · Post by **IM Jack Rudd** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 3:05 pm

Tim Harding wrote:Why is Howell today about to play an opponent who is a whole point behind him?

Erm, what? The most recent pairings I can see have nobody floating by more than half a point.

LawrenceCooper · Post by **LawrenceCooper** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 3:07 pm

Tim Harding wrote:
On another point, can anyone explain the accelerated pairing system being used in Dubai?

Why is Howell today about to play an opponent who is a whole point behind him?

The pairings can be viewed here: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr168053. ... =30&wi=984 At a quick glance it looks like a normal set of pairings, top half versus bottom half within each score group.

Tim Harding · Post by **Tim Harding** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 3:39 pm

I think the scores were just incorrect on chess24.

After 16 moves Howell is still slightly ahead on the clock. What's wrong with him today?!

Leonard Barden · Post by **Leonard Barden** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 5:37 pm

Another dull draw today. David's play has gone rather flat since he crunched Volkov. Just two rounds left, so he needs to win at least one of them for a high prize.

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David Howell at the Dubai Open

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