London Chess Classic (and associated tournaments)

[Roger de Coverly]

Timetables for this event are appearing at http://londonchessclassic.com/festival_schedules.htm

But who is actually in charge of the events outside of the prestige one? In the earlier years it was Adam Raoof with the assistance of Alex McF and Lara, before they fell out. For the last year or two it's been Sean Hewitt, but with the e2e4 Congresses not taking place, hasn't he retired either temporarily or permanently from the time and labour intensive task of running tournaments?

[IM Jack Rudd]

At e2e4 events, Sean was organizer and overall manager and chief arbiter, which is an exhausting mix (I stopped running Yeovil for that reason). The same doesn't apply to the London Chess Classic, where there is much more separation of roles.

[David Sedgwick]

Timetables for this event are appearing at http://londonchessclassic.com/festival_schedules.htm

But who is actually in charge of the events outside of the prestige one? In the earlier years it was Adam Raoof with the assistance of Alex McF and Lara, before they fell out. For the last year or two it's been Sean Hewitt, but with the e2e4 Congresses not taking place, hasn't he retired either temporarily or permanently from the time and labour intensive task of running tournaments?

I'm expecting the entry form to be published soon. It will include the name of the Tournament Organiser.

[Martin Crichton]

The chess world awaits with great anticipation...
Will Sean Hewitt come out of retirement? Will it be Adam Raoof? Will it be David Sedgwick? or a mystery organiser?
This must rank right up there with the other great mysteries....
who shot JR?
who shot Mr. Burns?
and more recently is Oscar Pistorious guilty? (answer on that one tomorrow!)

[JustinHadi]

Did someone shoot Mr. Burns? I have not been following the Simpsons for over 10 years...

[Jon Mahony]

Did someone shoot Mr. Burns? I have not been following the Simpsons for over 10 years...

You'd have to go back closer to 20, to see that episode

[JustinHadi]

Maybe the congress organiser could be persuaded to screen the episode.

[Mick Norris]

Carslen not playing, but Caruana, Anand, Nakamura, Kramnik and Adams are, with 1 more player to be added

https://twitter.com/TelegraphChess/stat ... 0743108608

[Roger de Coverly]

The entry form is now available at
http://www.londonchessclassic.com/downl ... y_Form.pdf

A couple of unanswered questions.

It is implied the big rapid-play at the start of the event will use ECF Rapidplay grades. Grading prizes are expressed in terms of FIDE ratings, so what conversion, if any, will be used for players who have an ECF rapidplay grade and a FIDE standard play ratings but no FIDE rapidplay rating?

I didn't see the names of the arbiting team mentioned anywhere.

As regards mobile phones, they are using the same wording as last year, rather than the FIDE wording that it's OK switched off in a bag, but not in a jacket, or the CAA one of demanding your phone number and a pound to charity.

[David Sedgwick]

I'm expecting the entry form to be published soon. It will include the name of the Tournament Organiser.

The entry form is now available at
http://www.londonchessclassic.com/downl ... y_Form.pdf

I didn't see the names of the arbiting team mentioned anywhere.

The name of the organiser was removed from a later proof.

As regards mobile phones, they are using the same wording as last year, rather than the FIDE wording that it's OK switched off in a bag, but not in a jacket, or the CAA one of demanding your phone number and a pound to charity.

This will now be reviewed. The entry form went to print before the FIDE announcement at http://www.fide.com/component/content/a ... chess.html

A couple of unanswered questions.

Still got a question? Please email us at: [email protected].

[Mick Norris]

Carslen not playing, but Caruana, Anand, Nakamura, Kramnik and Adams are, with 1 more player to be added

https://twitter.com/TelegraphChess/stat ... 0743108608

Giri now confirmed as 6th player

[John Saunders]

Pro-Biz Cup, London Chess Classic, 9 December 2014 (from 10.45)

A unique chance to play chess alongside world champions!
Web link: http://www.londonchessclassic.com/probizcup.htm

The 2014 London Chess Classic features a doubles chess rapidplay knock-out tournament in which eight super-GMs – the Super Six, Fabiano Caruana, Vishy Anand, Vlad Kramnik, Anish Giri, Hikaru Nakamura and Mickey Adams, plus leading English grandmasters Nigel Short and Gawain Jones – partner top business leaders in competition for the prestigious Pro-Biz Cup currently held by Barclays Bank.

The first partnership which will compete in this competition was settled a while back: Rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward will partner English grandmaster Gawain Jones.

Two further partnerships have been formed: IM Ali Mortazavi will play alongside Mickey Adams, and Jeremy Hodgson (brother of GM Julian) will partner Hikaru Nakamura.

The bidding process is still in progress for the remaining five partners needed for the rest of the super-GMs. For anyone interested in taking part, they can apply via a form on the website, which also shows the current state of the bidding.

Pro-Biz Cup Bid Form: http://www.londonchessclassic.com/probizcupform.htm

There is a field in the form which allows you to state your preferred partner – so bid quickly and generously to secure the super-grandmaster of your choice! All proceeds from this fun mini-tournament go to the Chess in School and Communities charity.

Doubles Chess Competition format: knock-out rapidplay with 25 minutes for each two-player team. In doubles chess, the four players each make a move in turn on the same board, hence the two players of a team play alternate moves without conferring. A new rule this year allows teams to take two one-minute time-outs in order to confer during a game. Play takes place in the auditorium. The three rounds are webcast at 10.45, 12.00 and 14.00.