English Chess Forum

Mick Norris wrote:According to chess24live David spent nearly 33 mins on move 8

Probably just trying to avoid being first to shake hands on a quick draw.

Indeed, move 13 strikes again

Presumably he'll expect another white in the final 2 rounds and is very close to World Cup qualification now

And Gawain has lost.

Pity

David is on 7.5, with Matlakov pressing to join him

Jobava & Demchenko on 7

Mick Norris wrote:Jobava & Demchenko on 7

Possibly the 2444 too if he converts against David Anton.

Phil Neatherway wrote:And Gawain has lost.

Unfortunate pairing altogether, since I (we, surely?) would have liked to see them both do well, but Gawain is still in contention.

Still, impressive game from Jobava. I don't think I've seen a game with quite that pattern before. It took me a while to realise that after calmly castling, Black was not just threatening ...Nxe4 but also, if say the bishop on e4 just retreated, to play the rather murderous ....Qf6!

Also interesting to see how quickly the computer realises that White had to play d2-d4 instead of Na3-b1.

1 Howell, David W L 7½/9
2 Demchenko, Anton, Matlakov, Maxim, Mikaelyan, Arman & Jobava, Baadur 7/9

1 5 GM Matlakov Maxim 2714 7 7½ GM Howell David W L 2684 18
2 59 GM Demchenko Anton 2629 7 7 GM Jobava Baadur 2713 6
3 216 IM Mikaelyan Arman 2444 7 6½ GM Navara David 2739 1

24 106 GM Antipov Mikhail Al. 2576 6 6 GM Jones Gawain C B 2654 36
118 155 GM Kanarek Marcel 2519 4 4 FM Tate Alan 2320 280

So how does Gawain play it, do we think?

He plays to win,like he always does.

One spectacular overachiever so far:

http://chess-results.com/tnr280959.aspx ... 21&snr=216

JustinHorton wrote:So how does Gawain play it, do we think?

His opponent Antipov has an even worse tie break so definitely needs to win, so that helps Gawain a bit. I imagine Gawain will just want to get a playable position with all three results possible. What he won't want is sterile equality or some lifeless position with a nagging edge for White so I suspect the search for just the right opening will probably keep him up all night.

Chris Rice wrote:

JustinHorton wrote:So how does Gawain play it, do we think?

His opponent Antipov has an even worse tie break so definitely needs to win, so that helps Gawain a bit. I imagine Gawain will just want to get a playable position with all three results possible. What he won't want is sterile equality or some lifeless position with a nagging edge for White so I suspect the search for just the right opening will probably keep him up all night.

I think Antipov is already qualified as World Junior Champion 2015, so he can relax a bit

Gawain is 33rd on tiebreak, but of those above him there are at least Demchenko, Jobava, Navara, Cheparinov, Dubov, Salgado Lopez and Anton who have already qualified from last year's event

WC qualifiers

10 g4 looks like a statement of intent from David's opponent.