2017 Reykjavik Open

[Chris Rice]

VINCIT QUI PATITUR!

David Sedgwick will understand the reference, even if noone else on the Forum does.

Amazing result from Pigott. Truly, "he conquers who endures".

The reference is subtler than just the translation.

Yes I think it should be "He who perseveres, conquers" which would be appropriate for John Pigott's great achievement here.

[Leonard Barden]

I'll leave it for David Sedgwick to have the pleasure of explaining when he gets back from SCCU125 v Oslo.

[Tim Harding]

The Reykjavik tournament is still running as Kamsky is grinding down Can in the quest for a share of second place. In play for over five and a half hours now.
When I was last in the playing hall Kamsky was a pawn down in a roughly equal position.

Now he has 2N+2P versus B and N but can he stop Black sacrificing both his pieces for the pawns?

https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tourn ... 017/10/1/5

Fantastic result by John Pigott; encouraging for all 60+ players.

Last year Bent Sorensen of Denmark got his IM at 72 (not by winning a senior event, though he was 3rd in the 2016 EU Seniors which got him one of the norms I think). Bent became a correspondence grandmaster long before computers were relevant.

LATER: Kamsky won the game. The ending could repay study.

[Chris Rice]

Final standings and rating prizes. John Pigott picks up an IM norm, 8th place and a share of the 2201-2400 category prize. Lovely jubbly.

[LawrenceCooper]

Final standings and rating prizes. John Pigott picks up an IM norm, 8th place and a share of the 2201-2400 category prize. Lovely jubbly.

His third norm and he should be over 2400 on the May rating list assuming he hasn't had any other events this rating period

[Chris Rice]

Chess.com report which focuses on Giri's win but also indicates that its important to keep up to date with the EC Forum if you don't want to risk blowing your norm chances that you didn't know you had. However, since John achieved an IM norm anyway I guess he won't care:

"FM John Pigott of England also scored an IM norm. The 59-year-old told the chess world that there's still hope: born in 1957, he made this third norm in this event, and also broke 2400!

Unlike the two Canadians, Piggot got his norm after ten rounds. He had no idea that he was playing for his third norm, and also wasn't aware of the fact that he was easily crossing 2400. Shirov going Shirov-style, but playing an incorrect sacrifice, was a most welcome gift."

[Andy Stoker]

The Chess.com site also includes a video of an interesting interview with John Pigott. He reveals that, in the final position, Shirov had touched Pigott's queen - which meant that he was not then able to play ... Qh6 to continue exerting pressure

[Chris Rice]

I did wonder at the time why Shirov hadn't played on with 26...Qh6 though of course he should lose anyway being a clear piece down.

Pigott-Shirov

Reykjavik Open 2017 round 101. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. O-O Bd7 5. Re1 a6 6. Bf1 Bg4 7. d3 Nf6 8. Nbd2 e6 9. h3 Bh5 10. c3 Be7 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nh4 Nd7 13. Ng2 h5 14. Nf4 Nde5 15. gxh5 Bh7 16. Nb3 Bh4 17. Ng2 Qf6 18. Nxh4 Qxh4 19. Re3 f5 20. d4 f4 21. Re1 Bg6 22. hxg6 Rh6 23. Bxf4 Qxf4 24. dxe5 Rxg6+ 25. Bg2 Qg5 26. Qg41-0

The comment in the final ChessBase report was funny "Alexei Shirov was not at his best and played more like "Sparks on Board" than his trademark"

[Mick Norris]

worldchess report finishes with analysis of Pigott - Shirov