European Championship in Liverpool

[JustinHorton]

And we're off. Well, whatever (and there's much) can be said against Nigel Short, lack of courage has never been among them and taking on Adams' Tarrasch is pretty brave.

[Carl Hibbard]

And we're off. Well, whatever (and there's much) can be said against Nigel Short, lack of courage has never been among them and taking on Adams' Tarrasch is pretty brave.

It's not looking good

[Carl Hibbard]

Sorry but what a load of old tosh, time for me to go out instead...

[John Moore]

Disappointing that Mickey didn't feel able to have a go - don't think you can blame Nigel for taking the draw with Black. Incidentally, the opening isn't complete rubbish. Check out Adams-Morozevich Sarajevo 1999. I suppose 7 Qg3 is an implied offer of the draw since otherwise 7 Ngf3 would be normal and better for white according to your engine of choice because of the king on f8. However, looks pretty level to this human who always struggles on the white side of the French.

[Carl Hibbard]

Disappointing that Mickey didn't feel able to have a go - don't think you can blame Nigel for taking the draw with Black. Incidentally, the opening isn't complete rubbish. Check out Adams-Morozevich Sarajevo 1999. I suppose 7 Qg3 is an implied offer of the draw since otherwise 7 Ngf3 would be normal and better for white according to your engine of choice because of the king on f8. However, looks pretty level to this human who always struggles on the white side of the French.

I can, the last but one round should produce a fight aimed at winning the tournament - there can be no excuse sorry.

[John Moore]

Carl - trouble is when it's your living, you do tend to be a bit more pragmatic. Mr Short will think that a win with White tomorrow will give him a decent payday - and I doubt that he thought he could beat Mickey with the black bits. After all, not many do!

[JustinHorton]

I agree with John. If you're going to point fingers I think mostly you'd point them at Adams here. (That's assuming you want to point fingers - there's of course an argument that it's their choice, their living and that there's plenty of other chess being played by people who want to win the thing. Mr Werle, for instance is having a fine old time of it even as I write.)

[John Moore]

Justin - looks like Werle-Adams tomorrow. If I was Mickey, I'd fancy having a go at Werle with Black rather than Short with White - sorry Carl

[Carl Hibbard]

Justin - looks like Werle-Adams tomorrow. If I was Mickey, I'd fancy having a go at Werle with Black rather than Short with White - sorry Carl

I feel let down more than anything especially after extra resources were put on line

[JustinHorton]

I know what you mean. Perhaps Sofia rules in the last couple of rounds might apply?

[John Saunders]

Adams-Werle has already happened so it can't happen again...

[John Moore]

Ah Mr Saunders - you are right! I blame the celebration at lunchtime

[JustinHorton]

What's the tiebreak rules? Has Werle got it in the bank with a quick draw as White tomorrow?

By the way, thanks to John for covering the Sulkis game in the round eight report: I spent ages trying to get my head round that endgame.

[John Moore]

But who will give him one?

[John Moore]

I suppose what's important for the pairings tomorrow is the question of whether L'Ami is ok against David. I'd assumed so for a long time and it still looks dead drawn - but what do I know, paricularly after John S pointed out that Werle- Adams happened yesterday!!.