London Chess Classic 2011

[David Sedgwick]

I am probably reading this completely wrong, but on the website it appears that the Classic is played over 9 rounds, but there are only 9 players...Is there a surprise last minute entrant?

Edit: Doh, obviously only 4 pairings play on each day, I'm used to even numbered events!

I think the idea is to have one elite player free each day, perhaps in order to join the commentary team.
International tournaments are often an odd number of rounds but the origin of that escapes me. Except to say an even no. player all-play-all (or 'round robin', and where did that expression come from?) is bound to be an odd no. of rounds.
PS For prompt answers to questions on the Classic it may be better to post in the 'London Chess Classic 2011' thread (in General Chat).

I am the Deputy Arbiter for the Classic.

There is only enough room on the stage for 4 games, so 9 players is the maximum. You're correct that each day the player with the bye will join the commentary team.

The draw was made this morning and the pairings are now online at http://www.londonchessclassic.com/classic.htm.

I'm contacting the moderators to ask if these posts can be merged into the other thread.

[John McKenna]

Thank you kindly, Mr. S.

[IM Jack Rudd]

I think the idea is to have one elite player free each day, perhaps in order to join the commentary team.
International tournaments are often an odd number of rounds but the origin of that escapes me. Except to say an even no. player all-play-all (or 'round robin', and where did that expression come from?) is bound to be an odd no. of rounds.
PS For prompt answers to questions on the Classic it may be better to post in the 'London Chess Classic 2011' thread (in General Chat).

A single-round all-play-all individual tournament will always have an odd number of rounds. It is, however, possible for a single-round all-play-all team tournament to have an even number of rounds if it has an odd number of teams.

[John McKenna]

Jack spotted the odd one out then, or should that be the even one out!?

[Paul Cooksey]

I see I have missed the advance ticket sales, to be honest I was waiting to see the pairings to decide whether to take a day off work, or go at the weekend.

I see some tickets will be available on the day. Is there any system for notifying whether there are still tickets available? It would be frustrating to turn up at Olympia and find out they were sold out on that day.

[Jonathan Bryant]

I see I have missed the advance ticket sales, to be honest I was waiting to see the pairings to decide whether to take a day off work, or go at the weekend.

My experience of previous years' post-mortem commentary suggests Saturday 3rd (Short) and Monday 5th (Kramnik) will be the days with the best value for guest commentator. I also suspect Tues 6th (Aronian) will be entertaining too.

Not that the other days will be poor by any means, but these will likely be the best.

[Paul Cooksey]

I see I have missed the advance ticket sales, to be honest I was waiting to see the pairings to decide whether to take a day off work, or go at the weekend.

My experience of previous years' post-mortem commentary suggests Saturday 3rd (Short) and Monday 5th (Kramnik) will be the days with the best value for guest commentator. I also suspect Tues 6th (Aronian) will be entertaining too.

Not that the other days will be poor by any means, but these will likely be the best.

Yes. Short on a Saturday is clearly a gold star day for me. Although given I have not got a ticket, and am not sure what the policy is, maybe it would be better if I didn't tell everyone!

[Adam Raoof]

I see I have missed the advance ticket sales, to be honest I was waiting to see the pairings to decide whether to take a day off work, or go at the weekend.

I see some tickets will be available on the day. Is there any system for notifying whether there are still tickets available? It would be frustrating to turn up at Olympia and find out they were sold out on that day.

Check the website, and failing that if you get to the event and can't get in for any reason ring me...

[Mick Norris]

Interesting line up on the 6th for Aronian to comment on too - Carlsen v Kramnik, Anand v Nakamura, Adams v Short, Howell v McShane

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Was reading this:

http://www.londonchessclassic.com/class ... irings2011

"For clarification: As the lowest rated player has pairing number 7, according to the tournament regulations, the round this player has the “bye” has been moved to be played as round 9."

Not sure what that is all about? Is it saying that the tournament regulations say that the lowest rated player has pairing number 7, or is it saying that the tournament regulations say that the lowest rated player should get the bye last? I suspect the latter, though the implicit presumption there seems to be that the lowest rated player is least likely to be in contention for first place.

I did try to look up the tournament regulations, but the page was empty:

http://www.londonchessclassic.com/class ... ations.htm

The page last year is here:

http://www.londonchessclassic.com/2010/ ... ations.htm

There is another page called 'Classic Rules':

http://www.londonchessclassic.com/classic.rules.htm

But that doesn't mention anything about the order of the byes.

PS. The website last year didn't have a dress code, but does this year...

[Michael Yeo]

Was reading this:

http://www.londonchessclassic.com/class ... irings2011

"For clarification: As the lowest rated player has pairing number 7, according to the tournament regulations, the round this player has the “bye” has been moved to be played as round 9."

Not sure what that is all about? Is it saying that the tournament regulations say that the lowest rated player has pairing number 7, or is it saying that the tournament regulations say that the lowest rated player should get the bye last? I suspect the latter, though the implicit presumption there seems to be that the lowest rated player is least likely to be in contention for first place.

I did try to look up the tournament regulations, but the page was empty:

http://www.londonchessclassic.com/class ... ations.htm

The page last year is here:

http://www.londonchessclassic.com/2010/ ... ations.htm

There is another page called 'Classic Rules':

http://www.londonchessclassic.com/classic.rules.htm

But that doesn't mention anything about the order of the byes.

PS. The website last year didn't have a dress code, but does this year...

It seems that the pairings which should have taken place in Round 4 have been swapped with those that should have taken place in Round 9. This has been done to ensure that David Howell has the bye on the last day.
Personally, if it was thought necessary to give David Howell the bye on the last day (which in itself is debatable), I think it would have been much better to assign him pairing number 1 instead.
The method used has some very undesirable consequences with colour sequences e.g By the end of Round 5, Luke McShane will have had 3 Blacks, 1 bye and just 1 White.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Although if Luke is planning to start 1 g3 in one half of his White games again .....

[Gavin Strachan]

I want to enter the Open section Weekend B Rapid but can't do it online, ok to pay on day is it?

[Adam Raoof]

I want to enter the Open section Weekend B Rapid but can't do it online, ok to pay on day is it?

Thanks for your enquiry. Please check your grade here - http://grading.bcfservices.org.uk/index.php and give us all the information that you would normally include on an entry form. Full name, date of birth, section entered, grade / FIDE rating, ECF / FIDE code and address, and details of any byes requested. Please note you will be liable for late fees. Best wishes, Adam.

[Ian Kingston]

After all the distractions of the last few days, it's time for some chess. After today's opening ceremony, Twitter users can play against the GMs in the London Chess Classic by following @londonclassic and sending moves using the hashtag #lccvworld. More details at http://www.londonchessclassic.com/.