BRITISH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS - THE GAMES

[Paul McKeown]

Oh alright, Andrew, put your flat cap away!

[Alex Holowczak]

What time the playoff tomorrow morning? I gather it's after prize giving (!), and that's at 9:30am. So maybe 10am?

[Jonathan Bryant]

Rousing effort, someone get those men brandies.

Access to toilet first, methinks. Alcohol later.


Epic struggle and we'll forgive them not playing it out to the end!

[JustinHorton]

Under the recent proposals, wouldn't they have to play again now?

[Andrew Stone]

Under the recent proposals, wouldn't they have to play again now?

[Peter Sharpe]

saw Jones having a drink at the Tap (at Rail station) last night. Palliser, Wells and the Ledger brothers were there too. There is still time for Jones to get back there before the last orders!

[Andrew Stone]

Last orders? They might not have had brandies but they did have lock-ins when I was there!

[Matt Mackenzie]

those two decided that was enough for them and they would share the title. For the first time in history.

As a certain esteemed contributor to these boards could personally confirm, this is not true

[Jonathan Rogers]

I never look these things up before posting, so maybe - but what is the precedent?

[David Pardoe]

I agree with those who say they should share the title....why have some tacky knock-about play-off, speed chess lottery to conclude what has been an interesting tournament.

And can I urge all those attending the prize giving tomorrow to take a hand full of entry forms for other congresses to give out to fellow players at there `home` towns/clubs...

Since the Manchester Congress is coming up at the end of this month, can I just give that a quick plug....excellent event run by Harry Lamb & his team, worthy of a visit...and the University venue at Withington offers good facilities. Its close to Platt fields, which is not a bad spot on a sunny day to take a break in between rounds.....

Oh...and top marks go to the organisors and all those who have volunteered to help at this years `British`...it has been an excellent event.

[Matt Mackenzie]

I never look these things up before posting, so maybe - but what is the precedent?

L W Barden and A Phillips in 1954.

[Alex Holowczak]

I agree with those who say they should share the title....why have some tacky knock-about play-off, speed chess lottery to conclude what has been an interesting tournament.

I'm not sure anyone has?

I'm all for the tie-breaks. Speed-chess playoffs are fashionable, if not quite de rigour. It's becoming a necessary part of the armoury of a top-class chess player. I think it's much nicer to only have one winner.

[Gavin Strachan]

Short and Adams had it under complete control me thinks and this was planned. hey, call me cynical. Anyhow this is most exciting so I am not fussed or complaining. is this match fixing?

[Mark Howitt]

I'm just glad my Adams and Short prediction was correct .

[David Sedgwick]

Is the prize money shared and the playoff only for the title?

According to the program, 10% of the prize money is held for the play-off (it gives the figures for you)

Good, if so. Something at least has been learnt from the scandal of 1997.

The Regulations were changed the very next year, 1998, in essence to those which still apply now. 1998 was, of course, the last time that Nigel Short played; he won a play-off against Matthew Sadler.