British Knockout Championship

[LawrenceCooper]

I'm wondering how Luke plans to meet 13 Nh4, it looks rather awkward.

[Stewart Reuben]

Jesper >In my view a lone knight or a lone bishop should never win (by flag fall) against any material unless the arbiter considers there is a realistic chance for the minor piece to checkmate,<
We tried that for blitz in the Laws of Chess. The term used was 'Mating Potential'. The idea was that it was a draw unless the player could produce a forced mate in 1 position. The example given in the Laws was 2 Knights against a King. Then we tried to extend it generally and could not create a satisfactory definition. So, the whole concept was dropped for the next set of Laws.
I found it quite easy to compose a position where White had a lone bishop and it was forced mate in 9. Vereschagin showed me two positions with a lone knight. In one the knight had a forced mate, in the other he didn't. It was by no means obvious.

Sorry to interrupt more serious stuff.

[David Sedgwick]

Other than Howell getting into time trouble

I'm starting to doubt this slightly(!). He's got to move 21 with 1:27 left and an edge on the clock...... No doubt he'll find a way

He has indeed managed it.

[MartinCarpenter]

Eh, he's still over 1 minute/move, which is definite progress

[Keith Arkell]

David and Nick played the move Rdc2 at almost the same moment

[Simon Brown]

David and Nick played the move Rdc2 at almost the same moment

and both followed swiftly with Rc6!

[LawrenceCooper]

David has won in 40 moves, Luke is still grovelling.

[Simon Ansell]

Luke might hold this now, very impressive defence.

[Simon Ansell]

Although I reserve the right to change my opinion, wasn't expecting the a-pawn to drop off like that without any counterplay against f2

[LawrenceCooper]

Although I reserve the right to change my opinion, wasn't expecting the a-pawn to drop off like that without any counterplay against f2

I think the only alternative was swapping f2 for a6 but with bishops off and white's rook behind the b pawn.

[Simon Ansell]

I was expecting the opposite bishop endgame after 51. Ra2 Ra2 to be honest, but maybe it's just lost.

edit: I mean there if Black could somehow liquidate the e- and f-pawns there are real drawing chances because White has the wrong bishop, but could be just wishful thinking.

[LawrenceCooper]

I was expecting the opposite bishop endgame after 51. Ra2 Ra2 to be honest, but maybe it's just lost.

A difficult choice, I think black still has some hope but defending such positions with no time isn't a lot of fun.

[LawrenceCooper]

Luke will also be in time trouble

Nick joining him as they race past move 70.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Drawn (the b-pawn fell).

Why was 78.Bf7 played and not 78.b6?

[LawrenceCooper]

Drawn (the b-pawn fell).

Why was 78.Bf7 played and not 78.b6?

0.06 Equal 78. ... Kf4+ 79. Kh6 Rd7 80. Bc2 Kg4+ 81. Kg6 Kxh4 according to the online engine.