English Chess Forum

Is there going to be a London Chess Classics 2010?

Last year the tournament was announced very late, it would be nice for amatours to know the details a bit more in advance, particularly the playing schedule.

Paolo

Paolo Casaschi wrote:Last year the tournament was announced very late, it would be nice for amatours to know the details a bit more in advance, particularly the playing schedule.

Necessary for those arranging league fixtures as well. Last year's event created a week in December when player availability for evening league matches became seriously limited . What with that and the weather, we're still trying to work through the postponements.

It was never 100% clear who stumped up the funds for last years event - does anyone know?

It was always 0% clear - and no doubt intentionally so. As to who knows - no doubt Malcolm knows.

Paolo Casaschi wrote:Is there going to be a London Chess Classic 2010?

Yes, there is.

Paolo Casaschi wrote:Last year the tournament was announced very late.

I understand that Malcolm Pein intends to make an announcement in April or May.

Malcolm has been kind enough to invite me to be part of his team again and he's given me an indication of the dates to keep free. I'd better not pre-empt his official announcement too much, but I think that I can safely reveal that the dates won't be radically different from the 2009 ones. The exact information should be known well before Roger de C and others need it for fixture planning purposes.

Good news indeed, after my minor technical involvement last year it was quite disappointing not to make it down to London due to illness

CHESS magazine today says yes, LONDON CHESS CLASSIC 2010 will go ahead, exactly the same dates.

Who should "we" invite?

Any of the top 10 would be nice. Anand and Topolov would be even nicer.

Players are partially selected on who is likely to play interesting chess. Last year they wanted a Chinese player, but rather than get the top Chinese player they opted for Ni Hua because he was viewed as having a more interesting style.

It's not graded is it, so if it's playing more for fun could the sponsor even persuade Kasparov to show?

Carl Hibbard wrote:It's not graded is it, so if it's playing more for fun could the sponsor even persuade Kasparov to show?

It is rated by FIDE, and graded by the ECF. Mind you, not being rated wouldn't put players off the top section, I suspect. The playing conditions are very good

Adam Raoof wrote:The playing conditions are very good

It will be hard to top last year but you need to try of course

I understand that Malcolm Pein has already invited back most of those who played last year.

Gavin Strachan wrote:Any of the top 10 would be nice. Anand and Topolov would be even nicer.

The former, yes, the latter (and his manager), no thank you

The latter *without* his manager might be OK, though.........