English Chess Forum

Ian Kingston wrote: 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/.

I was wondering how it will work in practice. On the Grandmaster side, they imply that each GM will take it in turns to be in charge for a few moves. On the "world" side, you still need someone to select sensible moves from all the twitter suggestions. Malcolm Pein plus guest GMs presumably.

Roger de Coverly wrote:

Ian Kingston wrote: 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/.

I was wondering how it will work in practice. On the Grandmaster side, they imply that each GM will take it in turns to be in charge for a few moves. On the "world" side, you still need someone to select sensible moves from all the twitter suggestions. Malcolm Pein plus guest GMs presumably.

I've been wondering the same thing. Some people will be running engines (not exactly in the spirit of the event), so very strong moves are bound to be submitted. If it's done on popular vote then it could be sabotaged by a mass effort to play something really stupid. @londonclassic currently has 1827 followers, so perhaps there won't be that many options to pick through, given that many potential players will have other demands on their time.

I'll treat it as a fun experiment and try to play sensible moves.

Ian Kingston wrote:

Roger de Coverly wrote:

Ian Kingston wrote: 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/.

I was wondering how it will work in practice. On the Grandmaster side, they imply that each GM will take it in turns to be in charge for a few moves. On the "world" side, you still need someone to select sensible moves from all the twitter suggestions. Malcolm Pein plus guest GMs presumably.

I've been wondering the same thing. Some people will be running engines (not exactly in the spirit of the event), so very strong moves are bound to be submitted. If it's done on popular vote then it could be sabotaged by a mass effort to play something really stupid. @londonclassic currently has 1827 followers, so perhaps there won't be that many options to pick through, given that many potential players will have other demands on their time.

I'll treat it as a fun experiment and try to play sensible moves.

It's supposed to be a fun event. Don't take it too seriously.

Is anyone taking bets on the occurrence of fire alarms?

The game is under way. Adams and Carlsen will be familiar with the opening...

All over rather quickly:

[Date "2011.12.02"] [White "Rest of the World"] [Black "London Chess Classic"] [Result "0-1"] [PlyCount "46"] 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. e5 Nh5 4. Be2 d6 5. Bxh5 gxh5 6. Qxh5 dxe5 7. Qxe5 Rg8 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Qh5 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Qxd4 11. O-O Qe4 12. g3 Bg7 13. Nc3 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Bd7 15. Ba3 Bc6 16. f3 Qe3+ 17. Kg2 O-O-O 18. Rae1 Qxc3 19. Bxe7 Rd2+ 20. Kh1 Rf2 21. Qf5+ Kb8 22. Rxf2 Qxe1+ 23. Kg2 Qxe7 0-1

Relieved to say that I didn't find time to suggest any moves other than 1.e4.

bizarrrre game

If this debut doesn't have a name may I suggest the Praline Defence?

I suspect that the players were remembering this game and having a little fun:

[Event "Chess Olympiad"] [Site "Khanty-Mansiysk RUS"] [Date "2010.09.27"] [EventDate "2010.09.21"] [Round "6"] [Result "1-0"] [White "Michael Adams"] [Black "Magnus Carlsen"] [ECO "B06"] [WhiteElo "2728"] [BlackElo "2826"] [PlyCount "75"] 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. e5 Nh5 4. Be2 d6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. exd6 exd6 7. d5 Ne7 8. c4 Bg7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. Re1 Re8 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Nf6 14. Bf4 Nd7 15. Rc1 Ne5 16. b3 a6 17. g3 Nf5 18. Bg2 g5 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Ne4 Ng7 21. Qd2 h6 22. f4 gxf4 23. gxf4 Bf6 24. Kh2 Nh5 25. Rg1 Kh7 26. Rcf1 Rg8 27. Qe2 Ng7 28. Qd3 Kh8 29. Bf3 b5 30. Bd1 bxc4 31. bxc4 Bh4 32. Bc2 f5 33. Rg6 Kh7 34. Rfg1 Qe7 35. Ng3 Bxg3+ 36. Qxg3 Qf7 37. Bd1 Rae8 38. Rxh6+ 1-0

I recall it being described as the North Sea Defence.

Is this the North Sea Defence? Do they play that? Really?

OK, the North Sea Defence but the North Sea (bed) is just as full of holes as praline.

Does anyone know when the draw for the Open is expected to be done?

Richard Bates wrote:Does anyone know when the draw for the Open is expected to be done?

Alex McF indicated a few days ago that there would not be acceleration. Late entries, unrated players and half point byes permitting, the halfway mark is at about 2060. GMs and IMs may not need to do any more preparation than looking up the opponent in the rating list or grading list.

If there is a flood of late entries, or a flood is anticipated, presumably they will leave the draw as late as they can get away with.

Most of the arbiters are still here working!

R1 Open draw now up at: http://www.livechess.co.uk/classic/2011 ... index.html

I'll have my hands full on board 78, giving away 350 rating points.