31st World Seniors 2023 Wed 25th Oct 2023 - Sun 5th Nov 2023

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I am posting a link here to Tim Harding's excellent report for round nine, with (as he says) heartbreak for Chapman (who now plays Nunn in round 10):

http://chessmail.com/seniors/Terrasini-Seniors2023.html

Tim also covers the 50+ where Adams remains in contention. Slight correction: Adams cannot be paired with either Atalik or Stefansson in the last round, as he has played them both (and indeed many of the other leading players). A pairing with Godena looks more likely and even (IMO) if Adams finishes with 2/2, I think one or both of the co-leaders will match or better that (not sure what the tie-breaks are).

In the 65+, Nunn may meet Vaganian in the final round if he and Vaganian win in round 10. A lot depends on the result between Ftacnik and Knaak.

While travelling yesterday, I was watching the game between Chapman and Knaak from round 9 where Terry had a lovely positional edge (Knaak's bishop was not great) and I saw it up to the point where the lost rook endgame was on the board. Heartbreak indeed. It would be good to see exactly where the thread was lost.

I cannot find a PGN of that game right now, but the critical position seems to be after move 58 (see below). White (Chapman) took on f4 with his bishop. Am wondering if that or subsequent play is where better plans/moves were missed.

2r3k1/5qp1/3bp3/p1p1p3/PpP1Pn2/1P1NBP2/2K3Q1/3R4

Above is from Chapman-Knaak, round 9 of 2023 65+ Open. White played 59.Bxf4 exf4 60.e5 Bf8 61.Re1 and later 0-1 after 88 moves.

Tim spotted a lovely missed tactic in one of Gaprindashvili's games (I hope he does not mind me reposting it here, with a pgn below):

Bogumil has done well in previous 50+ championships and is playing for the first time in the 65s, but she missed a golden opportunity [against Gaprindashvili in round 4] to win a piece in the opening.

1.e4 g6 2 d4 c6 3 Be3 d5 4 e5 Nh6 5 h4!? Nf5 6 h5 Nxe3 7 fxe3 Bh6 8 Qf3 Bf5?! (Here or next move, ...Qb6! would have been awkward to meet.) 9 Bd3 Qd7?? 10 hxg6 hxg6. White now played 11 Bxf5? and therafter the game was always roughly equal, but instead 11 Qf4!! would have been crushing. Black cannot take the queen because of mate in one by Rxh8, while after 11...Bg7 12 Rxh8+ Bxh8 13 Qh6 the bishop is lost.

1.e4 g6 2 d4 c6 3 Be3 d5 4 e5 Nh6 5 h4!? Nf5 6 h5 Nxe3 7 fxe3 Bh6 8 Qf3 Bf5 9 Bd3 Qd7?? 10 hxg6 hxg6. 11 Qf4!!

[Ian Thompson]

I am posting a link here to Tim Harding's excellent report for round nine

Definitely worth reading, but I'd question this prediction - "Adams, as the highest rated player in the chasing group, is very likely to be paired with either Stefansson or Atalik in the last round." given that Adams has already played both of them.

If Adams wins the only other players who could reach 7.5 points or more that he wouldn't have played already are Dlugy and Godena. If neither of those two win, Adams would have to be downfloated.

[Tim Harding]

Thanks for corrections. I just did a quick update to fix about Adams and correct a couple of typos.
I hope I changed all the "today" references to "yesterday".

It does look like we won't have any British world senior champion this year unless (like last year) there is an extraordinary combination of favourable results. It is amazing, really, that John Nunn has any chance of first since I think he has had three lost positions from which he extracted 1.5 points. Whereas last year it was really just one bad move that almost ruined his chances.

It won't get any easier for John to win the 65s again because next year Sturua will be eligible.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Relatively early draws in the 65+ with Campora-Vaganian and Chapman-Nunn both drawn.

Adams still playing in the 50+ and to my eye may be better, but a long way to go.

[Tim Harding]

I have added a few paragraphs to my report circa 1630 GMT. Full report late tonight.

Meanwhile take a butchers at Nona's crazy imaginative game. She sac'd three pieces for six pawns.
There have been some liquidations since. No idea whether this was sound.,.

https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-worl ... 0/FK1E7YW0

[John Moore]

Why did Stefansson resign against Atalik. Difficult to believe that he didn't see 38 Qb8+

[Matt Mackenzie]

I have added a few paragraphs to my report circa 1630 GMT. Full report late tonight.

Meanwhile take a butchers at Nona's crazy imaginative game. She sac'd three pieces for six pawns.
There have been some liquidations since. No idea whether this was sound.,.

https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-worl ... 0/FK1E7YW0

Hair-raising position just now - looks like White might have found the one winning line though?

Or maybe not, given that it is now KRN again KR.....

[LawrenceCooper]

I have added a few paragraphs to my report circa 1630 GMT. Full report late tonight.

Meanwhile take a butchers at Nona's crazy imaginative game. She sac'd three pieces for six pawns.
There have been some liquidations since. No idea whether this was sound.,.

https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-worl ... 0/FK1E7YW0

Hair-raising position just now - looks like White might have found the one winning line though?

Or maybe not, given that it is now KRN again KR.....

A very sad end where black blundered into mate instead of playing a stalemate trick drawing.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Why did Stefansson resign against Atalik. Difficult to believe that he didn't see 38 Qb8+

Was it a transmission error? Looking at the game on Lichess:

https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-worl ... 0/NiCmDMh0

I think what probably happened here is that Black either played the forced mating sequence starting with 36...g4+ 37.Kh2 Bxg3+, or that White resigned before this position appeared on the board, and that 37...Ba6 (which loses) is a 'phantom' move made after the resignation by moving pieces on the board.

In other words, Atalik won with a fine combination and the 37...Ba6 move didn't occur.

[John Moore]

Thanks Chris - that makes sense now.

[Tim Harding]

I have now posted my report for the day and left it vague what happened at the end of the Atalik game.

http://www.chessmail.com/seniors/Terras ... s2023.html

As a matter of fact, though, Christopher is wrong to say that 37...Ba6 loses. It is still winning for Black so long as he meets Qb8+ by Ke7.

[Matt Mackenzie]

I have added a few paragraphs to my report circa 1630 GMT. Full report late tonight.

Meanwhile take a butchers at Nona's crazy imaginative game. She sac'd three pieces for six pawns.
There have been some liquidations since. No idea whether this was sound.,.

https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-worl ... 0/FK1E7YW0

Hair-raising position just now - looks like White might have found the one winning line though?

Or maybe not, given that it is now KRN again KR.....

A very sad end where black blundered into mate instead of playing a stalemate trick drawing.

Yes, in that position many would look at Re5+ almost instinctively - incredible that Nona missed it (her age and a long game regardless)

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I have now posted my report for the day and left it vague what happened at the end of the Atalik game.

http://www.chessmail.com/seniors/Terras ... s2023.html

As a matter of fact, though, Christopher is wrong to say that 37...Ba6 loses. It is still winning for Black so long as he meets Qb8+ by Ke7.

I shouldn't have been so definite! (It was quite confusing enough anyway). Thanks for the reports.

[Tim Harding]

My first progress report on round 11 is up. Campora may be in trouble against Ftacnik.
As yesterday, I get the impression that chess24 are showing the games with delay but there is no delay on Lichess.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Was just discussing Adams' position live with some other chess players and we were gobsmacked to see Mickey's opponent blunder his queen!