British Chess Championships 2010

[Mike Truran]

Indeed. Not much we can do about it unfortunately given the different treatment of leagues compared with all play alls for FIDE rating purposes.

[Alex Holowczak]

The Championship is up to 75 entries (this was the size of the field in 2009), despite having fewer GMs than would normally enter. Total entries have now come to 751. 7 Grandmasters have entered (Conquest joined recently; no one seemed to point it out here), so it's not nearly as bad as some people thought it would be.

[Phil Makepeace]

You'll be able to follow my personal odyssey of fruiting around the bottom of the pile via daily posts on Release The Kraken.

[Alex Holowczak]

You'll be able to follow my personal odyssey of fruiting around the bottom of the pile via daily posts on Release The Kraken.

Perhaps a mini-competition you can look to win: The best University student (or at least, ones who played in the BUCA event). Four players who played in Oxford are in the field: Dorrington, Maciol, Jackson and yourself.

[Phil Makepeace]

Perhaps a mini-competition you can look to win: The best University student (or at least, ones who played in the BUCA event). Four players who played in Oxford are in the field: Dorrington, Maciol, Jackson and yourself.

You know, I think I'll go for the Under 21 title instead - only Jackson of the aforementioned appears in that category. Obviously, there are many other tough cookies to surpass. Though if I finished ahead of the three players you mentioned, I'd probably score at least 6/11 which should be enough. Fat chance of that though.

[Adam Raoof]

I like your blog, though like most blogs it may be hard to keep it up - but I'll be watching! I will try and get it a plug on the main site. If you know any other blogs being updated during the event, do let us know!

[Roger de Coverly]

Obviously, there are many other tough cookies to surpass. .

The "tail" seems long this year. Try pairing the bottom 20 of the Championship against the top 20 of the Major Open. On ratings the Major Open look to be favourites.

[Phil Makepeace]

Obviously, there are many other tough cookies to surpass. .

The "tail" seems long this year.

Yes, true. What I meant was that out of the small pool of players also eligible for the Under 21 prize, any one of them has the potential to get 5½ or 6 which makes the race for the title very competitive. David Howell would normally walk it.

[Alex Holowczak]

There are quite a few eligible for the U21 prize: Ynojosa, Jackson, Brown, Salimbeni, two Jones', Williams, Clarke, Galliano, Grant, Sathyanandha, Dines, Messam-Sparks, Tambini... including yourself. That's probably the most competitive prize being awarded.

[Roger de Coverly]

There are quite a few eligible for the U21 prize:.

Last year David Howell won both. This year the rules look as if you aren't eligible for both the U18 and U21.

Under 21 Champion (18-20): - £250 Under 18 Champion: - £250

[Phil Makepeace]

There are quite a few eligible for the U21 prize: Ynojosa, Jackson, Brown, Salimbeni, two Jones', Williams, Clarke, Galliano, Grant, Sathyanandha, Dines, Messam-Sparks, Tambini... including yourself. That's probably the most competitive prize being awarded.

Nope. I only make it myself, Jackson, Brown, Bucher and McCullough. The Under 18 titles however will be extremely competitive.

Edit: Roger got there before me.

[Alex Holowczak]

Oh, OK then. I don't think I like that rule change, but oh well.

[Ben Purton]

If its those 5 for U21, does anyone want a match bet, I take my 2 sharks(the lowest 2 rated?) and u can have the other 3. Anyone up for a flutter?

Ben

[David Haydon]

damn i am too old for the u21 prize......looks like i will be leaving empty handed this year lol

[Richard Bates]

There are quite a few eligible for the U21 prize:.

Last year David Howell won both. This year the rules look as if you aren't eligible for both the U18 and U21.

Under 21 Champion (18-20): - £250 Under 18 Champion: - £250

How on earth do they produce these silly and illogical rules?