British Championship Congress 2017

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Howell 0-1 Jones

Copied over from the predictions thread, as this seems a better place to discuss.

Is there any reason for thinking that Jones may win this game, or is that just taking a punt on the game being decisive? I am assuming a draw is the obvious result here. Whether it is a quick one or not isn't so clear. Hopefully not. You would also think that McShane is nicely placed to play the top two in the later rounds. Does he have good chances against them, does anyone think? Maybe the top three will all draw amongst themselves, maybe not. If they do, that favours Howell, of course, but maybe someone else can steam up alongside them while they slow themselves down.

[NickFaulks]

Looks like Gormally and Emms may give us our money's worth.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

The Chessbomb comments on the draw between Howell and Jones (after 14 moves) seem appropriate here:

"Troller: battle for first place
cycledan: yes
cycledan: Blah
Troller: ho hum"

[LawrenceCooper]

Looks like Gormally and Emms may give us our money's worth.

Eggleston-Ward look to have the "worst pawn structure of the day" award sewn up.

[Barry Sandercock]

Howell-Jones drawn in 13 moves.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Looks like Gormally and Emms may give us our money's worth.

Eggleston-Ward look to have the "worst pawn structure of the day" award sewn up.

Might have "game of the day" award sewn up as well.

[LawrenceCooper]

Looks like Gormally and Emms may give us our money's worth.

It fizzled out somewhat, drawn in 30 moves.

[Richard Bates]

Anyone who hasn't been catching the chess24/chessbase commentary - I strongly recommend it. Daniel seems an absolute natural, and he and Michal seem to gel very well together, feeding off each others ideas. Thoroughly enjoyable and informative - and not a computer in sight!

[Peter D Williams]

Yang-Fan Zhou will put in a very strong perfomance he gets stronger with every game looking forward to his game this afternoon.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

You would also think that McShane is nicely placed to play the top two in the later rounds. Does he have good chances against them, does anyone think? Maybe the top three will all draw amongst themselves, maybe not.

Hmm. McShane beat Howell!

That throws things up in the air with only three rounds left. Anyone brave enough to pick a winner at this stage?

A surprisingly large number of decisive results from round 6.

After round 6:

1. McShane 5.5/6
2-4. Hawkins, Gormally, Emms 5
5-13. Howell, Jones, Hanley, Wells, Zhou, Eggleston, Pert, Houska, Murphy 4.5

With 13 players on 4/6.

Conor E. Murphy doing well. One of the contenders for the U18 title.

[NickFaulks]

That throws things up in the air with only three rounds left. Anyone brave enough to pick a winner at this stage?

You have to go with McShane, but a lot will depend on his game with Gawain, assuming it happens. I hope it does.

[Angus French]

So the last time Luke McShane played in the British was 2002 (I can't see any more recent games) and he's not won it before?

[IM Jack Rudd]

He's never won it before, no. He came closest in the aforementioned 2002 event, when he was joint leader with Ramesh and Haslinger going into the final round.

[MartinCarpenter]

Hope he does it this time then Obviously much more than worth it talent wise.

[Brian Towers]

Chess24 has Wall v Longson on board 30 going
1) f4 d5
2) Nf3 Nf6
3) g3 c5
4) Bg2 Nc6
Result 0 - 1

What was that? A mobile phone?