English Chess Forum

According to the chessbomb stockfish, this position could be reached in Brown - Spanton [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/8/2r5/7k/6R1/3K1P1P/8/8 w - - 0 41"] There's an app for Android phones which looks up 7 piece ending tablebases. Its verdict - draw. You would expect to suffer for a long time to prove it tho...

This thread always reminds me that the Luddites are in good form; anything resembling change or modernisation gets shot down

Thomas Rendle wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 22, 2018 7:12 pm

Sadly, no. Still White with all the work to do to hold. I suspect he will though.

Go to stop agreeing with you; I would say 60:40 to black

Thomas Rendle wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 22, 2018 6:08 pm

Can we agree, once and for all, this isn't a dull match that needs fixing?

Well said, I think both players have been taking risks, it is just unfortunate they are both bloody good; we have to expect the odd dull game so they can recoup energy; looks like Carlsen has a edge at the moment

Disappointing outcome for him then but I still don't understand why anyone who has any endgame knowledge would play f5. Is it not already drawn at that point? If one is looking for candidates for mysterious decisions the 89th move would be very far down on my list! I think move 62 just taking on g7...

David’s 4.5/5 with four blacks is very impressive

I actually had permission to leave Paignton ( on 6/6) with a zero point bye, to nip off to one of the easy qualifiers ( eg Bristol or Cardiff, nearby) but decided against doing so as it just seemed wrong. It looks like the event was quite successful, but I think it was a mistake to automatically el...

In the few years having playing in Ireland you can never come across a nicer man; sorry for your country’s loss

Remember back then k factors were only 15 for everybody, and not 40; if your are to do true comparisons then you have to calculate on an equivalent basis Start ratings were higher as well, so if you come in at 1600 or 1800 that's less of a gain needed to reach 2300 and an FM title. CM and FM titles...

According to the fide site David was rated 2193 in July 2001 aged 10 years 8 months. Shreyas is rated 2115 aged 9 years 7 months. If he maintains his current rate of progress he will be ahead of that curve. At Shreyas current age, Praggnanandhaa was rated 2200. Whereas Abdusattorov was rated 2057 R...

The side room which hosted the Open section had its own independent air conditioning control. I know, as I switched it in the morning when putting up notices and placing board numbers. From the reports posted and otherwise received it would appear that the units failed or were unable to cope, both ...

I was there to present the prizes, and I agree the playing conditions weren’t great. No promises (money is tight as always), but we’ll see if anything can be done for next year. Can we award you the ECF prize for biggest understatement of the year with this comment; you could have just said conditi...

I have to admit I was quite glad to get away after the game this weekend (not just because I lost); the conditions in the playing area for the Open were most probably the worst I have ever played at; with no air conditioning the heat was very oppressive; I had players coming from the main room actua...

Nice piece Chess: Trio of young English experts impress at Pula Open in Croatia by Leonard Barden in the Guardian online: "Success in Pula reflects well on the English Chess Federation’s elite programme, which provides an annual grant to the best talents to be spent on coaching, books, or travel to...

Horton has a TPR of 2519, has played 3 IM+ and 5 titled players if you include the opponent who didn't turn up against him. But it's quite complicated given the situation with the default, and I lack the enthusiasm to dive into those murky depths at the moment. It is relatively simple regarding the...