British Championships 2012 - Games

[Matthew Carr]

Good Afternoon

The live games are starting at 2.30pm today:

http://britishchesschampionships.co.uk/live-games/

The Main Hall webcam will be active for the start of play

http://www.livestream.com/leylandchess

And Andrew Martins commentary will be starting at 3pm this afternoon

http://www.livestream.com/ecfwebcam

Have a good afternoon everyone and enjoy the fun

[Andrew Collins]

Norm Situation
James Holland has achieved an 11 round International Master (IM) norm. A win today will give him a 12 round norm.*
Marcus Osborne requires a draw today to obtain an 11 round IM norm.

* He will exceed the required score by 1 point if he wins and so can be credited with a 12 round norm from an 11 round tournament.
(Predicting Chris's question)

I just wondered what is the difference between getting the 9,10,11 or 12 round norm, is it something to do with the fide requirement of
1.5
Requirements for award of the title, having achieved norms

1.50
Two or more norms in events covering at least 27 games.

Does 1.50 mean it is theoretically possible for someone to get awarded the IM or GM title with only 2 norms?

[Alex McFarlane]

In theory, yes.

In practice there are Continental Championships which can award norms over only 7 rounds. In this case the extra games are useful.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Anyone know roughly when the draw was agreed between Gordon and Hawkins? And who is better in Ledger-Jones, currently at move 23?

[JustinHorton]

The draw was just a few minutes ago, I think.

[Simon Ansell]

And who is better in Ledger-Jones, currently at move 23?

Gawain is winning something after 23...e5!, I think.

[Carl Hibbard]

Anyone know roughly when the draw was agreed between Gordon and Hawkins? And who is better in Ledger-Jones, currently at move 23?

Jones looks clearly winning to me

[John Saunders]

And who is better in Ledger-Jones, currently at move 23?

Gawain is winning something after 23...e5!, I think.

"Computer says no." 24 Nc6 Bxc6 25 Rxh7!?

(Apologies for cheating)

[John Moore]

But after Ne2 maybe Rc2ch

[Carl Hibbard]

Is 24.... Rc2+ winning now - no computer of course...

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I was looking at the boring Bf5 and Rfc7 (or b7)...

[Simon Ansell]

"Computer says no." 24 Nc6 Bxc6 25 Rxh7!?

(Apologies for cheating)

Ha, stupid computers. What about 23. Nc6 Qc7 then, or is 24. Ne7 Re7 25. Qe7 just a draw?

Edit: lots of attractive options now after 23. Ne2

[John Saunders]

Yep, Hiarcs is going for Rxc2+... maybe just Bf5 is pretty good too.

[John Saunders]

Ha, stupid computers. What about 23. Nc6 Qc7 then, or is 24. Ne7 Re7 25. Qe7 just a draw?

Edit: lots of attractive options now after 23. Ne2

Hi Simon - in the line 23 Nc6 Qc7, Hiarcs likes 24 Rh4 and reckons White is slightly better.

But after 23 Ne2 I imagine Gawain is licking his lips. What are the play-off arrangements?

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Play off details are here:

http://britishchesschampionships.co.uk/ ... ryForm.pdf

"Play-off: Should there be a tie for the title after 11 rounds a play-off will take place on Saturday 4 August. 10% of the prize fund due for 1st and any subsequent prizes involved in the tie will be held back and distributed following the play-off. The type and length of play-off plus the distribution of prizes will be determined by the number of players involved; full details will be given in the programme. Entry to the Championship is deemed as acceptance of these conditions."

If Gawain Jones wins, it would be two players, so probably identical to last year. Someone with a copy of the programme might be able to supply more "full details will be given in the programme". Or maybe one of the organisers is typing something right now? Or maybe they are waiting for the games to finish first, because chess is a funny game and there might not be a play-off!