English Chess Forum

Jonathan Rogers wrote:

Leonard Barden wrote:

Jonathan Rogers wrote:sum of progressive might already do it - it would certainly put Daniel Fernandez through if he draws this afternoon.

Already looks set up for Fernandez and Pert to halve out quickly in the final round and take the two qualifying places.

Yes, so it seems. So last year's participants likely to requalify.

In answer to Graham, I don't know offhand. I am guessing that Howell, Short, Jones, McShane and Hawkins are playing, but that is only five: unless Sadler is perhaps available. I'd be surprised if Yang-Fan has been given an automatic place again (ahead of Pert and Fernandez).

What about Adams - or am I missing something obvious.

playing in the classic itself, I assume

John Moore wrote:

Jonathan Rogers wrote:

Leonard Barden wrote:
Already looks set up for Fernandez and Pert to halve out quickly in the final round and take the two qualifying places.

Yes, so it seems. So last year's participants likely to requalify.

In answer to Graham, I don't know offhand. I am guessing that Howell, Short, Jones, McShane and Hawkins are playing, but that is only five: unless Sadler is perhaps available. I'd be surprised if Yang-Fan has been given an automatic place again (ahead of Pert and Fernandez).

What about Adams - or am I missing something obvious.

Playing Aronian with black in round 1 of the Classic

Pairings

Jonathan Rogers wrote:

Leonard Barden wrote:

Jonathan Rogers wrote:sum of progressive might already do it - it would certainly put Daniel Fernandez through if he draws this afternoon.

Already looks set up for Fernandez and Pert to halve out quickly in the final round and take the two qualifying places.

Yes, so it seems. So last year's participants likely to requalify.

In answer to Graham, I don't know offhand. I am guessing that Howell, Short, Jones, McShane and Hawkins are playing, but that is only five: unless Sadler is perhaps available. I'd be surprised if Yang-Fan has been given an automatic place again (ahead of Pert and Fernandez).

Rowson?

ah yes, I forgot that he played last year and gave Gawain a reasonable match.

Well, mystery solved, probably.

Jonathan Rogers wrote:playing in the classic itself, I assume

Hm - missed something obvious. Reminds me of my chess.

Richard Bates wrote:

Jonathan Rogers wrote:So it seems. I was wondering whether he (Pert) would finish ahead of Hand on tiebreak if top board was a draw. But I guess that Hand would lose out on sum of progressive, slightly unfairly one might think, since he had to play a strong player much earlier than Nick did. Though given how he won in round four, he would also be rather lucky to be in a tiebreak at all.

Ok, both Hand and Hebden need to pull off wins with Black then ....

(written before I saw Richard's mail. I haven't checked Hand v Hebden either)

Hebden has indeed got a higher average rating than Hands

Draws on boards 1 & 4 so presumably this means that Pert-Hebden is the crucial remaining game albeit Arkell-Clarke is worth winning for a decent pay day.

Mmmm, would be surprised if Hebden mates with his two attacking pieces.

Got a few more pieces there now, Jonathan.

Looks like a draw now ( move 35 ) But you can never tell with these G.M.`s !

Looks as if board 2 will be drawn.
.In that eventuality, I have a question as a journalist which I hope someone with the necessary knowledge (David Sedgwick or Mike Truran?) can answer speedily.
Even if there is a decisive result on board 3, both Arkell and Clarke have inferior SOPS tie-breaks to Hand.
Would 14-year-old Freddie Hand then become first reserve if any of the eight participants in the British Knockout Championship dropped out? Remember that last year there was a late change when Nigel Short withdrew. Or would Hand be first reserve for just the two qualifiers from the 4NCL Open? Or not be first reserve at all?

Not sure we've discussed that one!

As the BKO is Malcolm's and David's bailiwick, I guess it would be their call in the first instance.

Pert and Hebden draw.

I assume that Black has won in Arkell v Clarke; what an extraordinary game, arguably the best of the whole weekend.

An astonishing game indeed.