Hastings thread

[Roger de Coverly]

Spice v Spanton looks like playing with an enormous new year hangover.

Here's the whole thing from chessbomb
1. Nc3 Nf6 2. e4 e5 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3 Be7 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Nxe5 g6 8. Nxc6 dxc6 9. Qf3 O-O 10. d3 Nf5 11. O-O Nd4 12. Qg3 a5 13. Bh6 Nf5

The chessbomb stockfish thinks White can fight on by giving up the queen with 14. Bxf8 .

Earlier in the game, Tim Spanton declined to get involved with the Frankenstein-Dracula. Engines, including the chessbomb stockfish now prefer White with 11. Nxb6 being presented as the best move in the starting tabiya.

[FEN "N1bk1b1r/p2pq2p/1pnn2p1/3Qpp2/8/1B6/PPPP1PPP/R1B1K1NR w KQ - 0 11"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3 Nc6 6. Nb5 g6 7. Qf3 f5 8. Qd5 Qe7 9. Nxc7 Kd8 10. Nxa8 b6

[NickFaulks]

I really believe that this is still a position where the engines haven't got a clue.

[Brendan O'Gorman]

Some photos (more to come): http://brendanogorman.smugmug.com/Chess/Hastings-2017

[John Moore]

I really believe that this is still a position where the engines haven't got a clue.

A colleague has told me that 11 Nb6 is the best move - might be if you are an engine and would rather have a pawn than a tempo. Mind you, I don't get involved in this kind of stuff for either side! And why didn't Alan Spice play 14 Bf8 and struggle on - I am sure we have all won from worse positions.

[Barry Sandercock]

John Moore wrote:
I am sure we have all won from worse positions.

Not against Keith Arkell !

[Barry Sandercock]

Sorry. Wrong opponent !!

[Reg Clucas]

Very interesting pawn ending in Flear v Bates. I think 44...h5 would draw. Still required very precise play from White, i.e. 48.Kd2 & 50.Ke2

[Nick Burrows]

http://chess-results.com/tnr251584.aspx ... 821&snr=20

A good chance for an IM norm for Ravi. What score does he need from the last 2 rounds?

[chrisbeckett]

http://chess-results.com/tnr251584.aspx ... 821&snr=20

A good chance for an IM norm for Ravi. What score does he need from the last 2 rounds?

Hope he makes it - I'd have thought if he "only" needs a couple of draws he's got the right opponent for starters today...

[Nick Burrows]

I'm sure GM Lalic will realise the import of the situation and turn down the draw on principle...

[IM Jack Rudd]

A good chance for an IM norm for Ravi. What score does he need from the last 2 rounds?

My calculations make it:

0/2 with a 2514 in round 9
½/2 with a 2181 in round 9
1/2 with anybody in round 9

For a GM norm, he needs 2/2 with a 2308 in round 9.

[Nick Burrows]

A good chance for an IM norm for Ravi. What score does he need from the last 2 rounds?

My calculations make it:

0/2 with a 2514 in round 9
½/2 with a 2181 in round 9
1/2 with anybody in round 9

For a GM norm, he needs 2/2 with a 2308 in round 9.

Thanks Jack, so a well timed draw offer (ie at any point ) should secure the norm.

[Alex McFarlane]

Sorry forgot to post this earlier.

I disagree with Jack's calculation for Ravi's GM norm - 2234 tomorrow.
Total agreement with Jacks figures (except 1776 rather than anyone - but it's close to the same thing.

Hansen needs 1pt from his two games and a 2435 tomorrow (or 1.5 v 2030 or 2 v 1661) but he already has sufficient norms.

Thybo needs 2pts and a 2368 opponent

Vaishali needs 2 pts and a 2505 for a WGM

[Jonathan Rogers]

IM Norm achieved for Ravi, assuming he will be paired against someone 2200+, who will also turn up.

[IM Jack Rudd]

IM Norm achieved for Ravi, assuming he will be paired against someone 2200+, who will also turn up.

I think there's a special regulation in place here - if Ravi can get a norm with a defeat, he will get it even if his opponent fails to turn up.