St Louis Winter Classic

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Tim Harding
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Tim Harding » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:02 pm

The game is not over yet but this is certainly a fine example of how a top GM sets about trying to win a slightly favourable but apparently unwinnable endgame, playing on 30-second increments.
The online engine seems to think Howell is winning if he puts his B on d5 which he has just done at move 74, but dinner calls and I will have to study this ending when it's over.
Tim Harding
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Brian Towers
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Brian Towers » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:14 pm

Has Howell opened the cage? White king and knight suddenly a lot more active.
Ah, but I was so much older then. I'm younger than that now.

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Christopher Kreuzer
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Christopher Kreuzer » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:28 pm

Last pawn move was by White on move 52 (moving his e-pawn to e5). In the line that Howell's opponent has just allowed, Black captures that White e5 pawn on move 101. Is that within the 50-move rule or not? I think it is, just!

Brian Towers
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Brian Towers » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:31 pm

Now I think that white's problem is that if his e pawn and knight get exchanged for black's bishop then his bishop and pawn are the wrong colour (they need to be opposite colours to draw) and Howell should win.
Ah, but I was so much older then. I'm younger than that now.

Peter Shaw
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Peter Shaw » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:35 pm

Almost the same ending as this famous game http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1067288

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JustinHorton
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by JustinHorton » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:40 pm

Blimey that's a good effort Peter
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

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Brian Towers
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Brian Towers » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:45 pm

Ah, but I was so much older then. I'm younger than that now.

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Christopher Kreuzer
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Christopher Kreuzer » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:45 pm

Is David's game still drawn? I don't see how Black makes progress.

(Now move 110; the next 50-move-draw claim will be at Black's move 151).

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Christopher Kreuzer
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Christopher Kreuzer » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:54 pm

*groan* What was difficult about 119...Ra8 and a win? (Hmm. I'm not seeing the win, though the online engine insists but only gives one move.) Doesn't matter, David's opponent allowed another way to win.

Tim Harding
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Tim Harding » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:57 pm

Yes that looked like a win but now his K is in surely it must be winning? I imagine that's what he was focused on.
Tim Harding
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Tim Harding
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Tim Harding » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:58 pm

Engine was screaming for 125...Bd7
Tim Harding
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Peter Shaw
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Peter Shaw » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:59 pm

Ra8 wins because the bishop has no good square, Bc5 then Kc6 traps the knight, otherwise the b-pawn drops.

Tim Harding
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Tim Harding » Sun Mar 19, 2017 10:03 pm

Mate in 7 after 128 Na5 Re2 but Black made the wrong reply. Still should win though.

And White has resigned. Terrific that both David and Gawain have won major tournaments abroad already this year.
Last edited by Tim Harding on Sun Mar 19, 2017 10:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Tim Harding
Historian and FIDE Arbiter

Author of 'Steinitz in London,' British Chess Literature to 1914', 'Joseph Henry Blackburne: A Chess Biography', and 'Eminent Victorian Chess Players'
http://www.chessmail.com

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Christopher Kreuzer
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Christopher Kreuzer » Sun Mar 19, 2017 10:04 pm

And David won. Great result!

Mick Norris
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Re: St Louis Winter Classic

Post by Mick Norris » Sun Mar 19, 2017 10:05 pm

Well done David; live rating now 2684.4
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