English Chess Forum

The Scottish is a 16 player event this season (Covid restrictions were still tight at the time it was organised).

Live games

https://view.livechesscloud.com/#525658 ... 4e43281ebe

Alex McFarlane wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 02, 2022 2:14 pm

The Scottish is a 16 player event this season (Covid restrictions were still tight at the time it was organised).

Live games

https://view.livechesscloud.com/#525658 ... 4e43281ebe

Who cares about the games when we can have a lengthy debate on the merits, or otherwise, of the pairing system?

Ian Thompson wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 02, 2022 2:39 pm

Who cares about the games when we can have a lengthy debate on the merits, or otherwise, of the pairing system?

Something similar was suggested by at least one captain for the 4NCL swiss this season.

LawrenceCooper wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 02, 2022 3:11 pm

Something similar was suggested by at least one captain for the 4NCL swiss this season.

Being over clever with seedings doesn't always work well in the context of a team event where team strength can vary from one weekend to the next.

Division 3 initial seeding didn't work that well given that the winners played one of their nearer rivals in round one.

Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 02, 2022 3:24 pm

LawrenceCooper wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 02, 2022 3:11 pm

Something similar was suggested by at least one captain for the 4NCL swiss this season.

Being over clever with seedings doesn't always work well in the context of a team event where team strength can vary from one weekend to the next.

Division 3 initial seeding didn't work that well given that the winners played one of their nearer rivals in round one.

It was certainly wise not to attempt anything like that in the Division One/Two swiss in case Covid had wiped out half the season without any of the top teams playing.

On the subject of strong Scottish players, whatever happened to Jonathan Rowson - he was great during his reign as British champion but then seemed like he disappeared completely after that, did he give up?

He seems to be focused on his academic work these days, though he was still playing some chess only a few years ago at most.

Ian Thompson wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 02, 2022 2:39 pm

Who cares about the games when we can have a lengthy debate on the merits, or otherwise, of the pairing system?

This had the potential to be an interesting experiment.

However, the effect of the Round 1 results was that the Round 2 pairings didn't differ significantly from normal ones.

It just goes to show, once again, that tournaments would run more smoothly without players. You can always rely on players to mess things up.

Getting back to the chess, it looks a very open competition (I haven't contemplated how the pairing system might have an impact) and I thought you could have made a decent case for any one of at least half the players to end up victorious. I think there are six former champions in the field, plus top seed new Scot Dunnington. I suspect there may be a bit of rustiness on display, and the field currently resembles the Tour de France.

The Tour de France right now is risking its collective neck by riding over cobbles, is that what you meant?

Scottish Championship Results with Rd. 5 pairing including score so far.

https://chess-results.com/tnr633063.asp ... art=2&rd=5

JustinHorton wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 06, 2022 3:17 pm

The Tour de France right now is risking its collective neck by riding over cobbles, is that what you meant?

No, you're giving me too much credit, although I imagine the fact le Tour is happening featured in my subconscious. (I hadn't seen those cobbly bits before - are they a regular feature?)

It was more an attempt to reverse the tired cliche of "cycling is chess on bikes" with chess is like cycling with boards and pieces. Or something. Basically there have been a lot of draws and no-one had edged clear of the pack - although after his win yesterday Murad has a chance to put some clear blue water between him and the rest.

The cobbles have featured a few times before, and caused a reasonable amount of chaos each time; cycling is a dangerous sport

The highlights are on the ITV Hub, continuing highlights on ITV 4 at 7 pm each night, live coverage on now

Final results

How did the pairing system work out?

Website

Congratulations to Murad Abdulla who has won his third Scottish Championship title. Murad finished on 6.5 points the same score as Keith Ruxton but his "performance rating" tie break was superior. Murad is presented with cup by Chief Arbiter Alex McFarlane (photos by Geoff Chandler)

Or this perhaps?
https://www.chessscotland.com/news-post ... uly%202022.

Nice photos, Geoff.