Search found 509 matches

by Simon Ansell
Tue Jun 05, 2018 12:45 pm
Forum: Deaths & Obituaries
Topic: Ray Starkie
Replies: 6
Views: 3057

Re: Ray Starkie

I've just seen this terrible news and want to put on record how much of a help Ray was to me and others as junior players at Cowley and in the wider Oxfordshire area. He was a tough player with whom I had many battles during my teenage years.
by Simon Ansell
Wed Dec 02, 2015 9:29 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: British Knockout Championship
Replies: 183
Views: 15521

Re: British Knockout Championship

Carl Hibbard wrote:
Carl Hibbard wrote:I have created an 'ecforum' slack channel if of use to anyone in that environment other post here as always.
If only I knew how to use it :oops:
I use a couple of Slack channels, but looks like you need an invite for ecforum.slack.com?
by Simon Ansell
Wed Dec 02, 2015 5:36 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: British Knockout Championship
Replies: 183
Views: 15521

Re: British Knockout Championship

Well, now we have a roughly equal endgame (maybe White has a tiny edge) and I confess to not having understood any of the last 5 moves :D
by Simon Ansell
Wed Dec 02, 2015 5:01 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: British Knockout Championship
Replies: 183
Views: 15521

Re: British Knockout Championship

There might be some tricks, something with 13. Qh4 and 14. e4 + Ng5, but I don't really believe it. Might just be a calculated gamble given the match situation, the opening probably hadn't gone as planned.
by Simon Ansell
Wed Dec 02, 2015 4:55 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: British Knockout Championship
Replies: 183
Views: 15521

Re: British Knockout Championship

Did Gawain really play 12. b3? What's the idea after 12...Na5? 13. Qh4 I guess, but I'm not even close to making it work :/
by Simon Ansell
Wed Dec 02, 2015 2:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: British Knockout Championship
Replies: 183
Views: 15521

Re: British Knockout Championship

I was expecting the opposite bishop endgame after 51. Ra2 Ra2 to be honest, but maybe it's just lost.

edit: I mean there if Black could somehow liquidate the e- and f-pawns there are real drawing chances because White has the wrong bishop, but could be just wishful thinking.
by Simon Ansell
Wed Dec 02, 2015 2:23 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: British Knockout Championship
Replies: 183
Views: 15521

Re: British Knockout Championship

Although I reserve the right to change my opinion, wasn't expecting the a-pawn to drop off like that without any counterplay against f2 :D
by Simon Ansell
Wed Dec 02, 2015 2:20 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: British Knockout Championship
Replies: 183
Views: 15521

Re: British Knockout Championship

Luke might hold this now, very impressive defence.
by Simon Ansell
Tue Dec 01, 2015 9:37 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: British Knockout Championship
Replies: 183
Views: 15521

Re: British Knockout Championship

Just tuned in to the playoff, not exactly what you want with White in a must draw situation :shock:
by Simon Ansell
Tue Dec 01, 2015 9:07 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: British Knockout Championship
Replies: 183
Views: 15521

Re: British Knockout Championship

Thanks Mick.
by Simon Ansell
Tue Dec 01, 2015 7:23 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: British Knockout Championship
Replies: 183
Views: 15521

Re: British Knockout Championship

Does anyone know if they'll be live commentary of this event, or at least if the games will be transmitted live? Couldn't find anything on the Classic website.
by Simon Ansell
Wed Nov 25, 2015 10:16 pm
Forum: International News
Topic: Kirsan Sanctioned by US Treasury Department
Replies: 71
Views: 16493

Re: Kirsan Sanctioned by US Treasury Department

As a result of today’s action, all assets of those designated that are in the United States or that are in the control of U.S. persons are frozen, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them . Does the bolded mean that U.S. chess players won't be able to partic...
by Simon Ansell
Mon Nov 02, 2015 10:03 am
Forum: Live Games
Topic: British Rapidplay
Replies: 27
Views: 6594

Re: British Rapidplay

I think the answers to Mike's questions would be easier to fathom if the ECF actually put some money into the event. It is an established, well-supported event with a British title at stake after all. Even a small amount would probably make a difference in some areas, for example the website, and a...
by Simon Ansell
Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:34 pm
Forum: Live Games
Topic: British Rapidplay
Replies: 27
Views: 6594

Re: British Rapidplay

No doubt I will be accused of wearing my miserable hat again, but after 30 years of running the event is it unreasonable to expect that round by round results and final crosstables should be available on a timely basis? Isn't this supposed to be England's (and indeed the UK's) flagship rapidplay ev...
by Simon Ansell
Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:59 pm
Forum: International News
Topic: World Cup Baku 10 September to 4 October 2015
Replies: 594
Views: 31857

Re: World Cup Baku 10 September to 4 October 2015

Chess writers do their job, and for an event like the World Cup an ECF publicity officer offers no extra. http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/18/michael-adams-tied-leinier-dominguez-third-round-chess-world-cup To be objective, Adams reaching the last 16 and then (as seems likely) being elimin...