London Chess Classic British Knock-Out

[Nick Grey]

Can Howell make progress against Jones on the 30 secs a move?

[Jonathan Rogers]

Six game match between Short and Howell then. Anyone want to call it?

[John Moore]

Short for me, Jonathan, but we will see.

However my real reason for posting is the link to the live games in the Fide Open on the official site doesn't work - we now go back to when it was broken in Round 1. I know it's available on Chess 24 via the link on the site but surely this is something that you have to get right.

[John Moore]

Now fixed - thanks

[LawrenceCooper]

An eighty-four move draw in game 1.

[Paul Cooksey]

Howell will be pleased to have held the ending, seemed like a chance for Short

[Mick Norris]

A fluctuating game; it seemed Howell was a little better around move 40, but Short appeared much better in the ending; would be very interesting to see some analysis of the game

[Tim Harding]

A fluctuating game; it seemed Howell was a little better around move 40, but Short appeared much better in the ending; would be very interesting to see some analysis of the game

Nigel seems to have missed two wins in the rook ending, the second is confirmed by the 7-man tablebase.

[Event "British Knockout Championship final"] [Site "London"] [Date "2016.12.11"] [Round "1"] [White "Howell, David W L"] [Black "Short, Nigel D"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2644"] [BlackElo "2679"] [PlyCount "168"] [EventDate "2016.12.11"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. O-O Ba7 7. Re1 O-O 8. a4 h6 9. h3 d6 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. b4 Qd7 12. Bxe6 Qxe6 13. Qb3 g5 14. Qxe6 fxe6 15. Nf1 Nh5 16. Be3 Nf4 17. Bxa7 Nxa7 18. Re3 a5 19. b5 Nc8 20. N1d2 Nb6 21. d4 Rad8 22. Kh2 Ng6 23. g3 Kf7 24. Kg2 Ke7 25. Ne1 Rf7 26. Nd3 Rdf8 27. Re2 Rf6 28. Ra2 R6f7 29. Ra1 Rf6 30. Nb2 R6f7 31. Rc1 Nd7 32. Nbc4 b6 33. Nb2 Kd8 34. Nd3 Ke7 35. Nc4 Kf6 36. Re3 Kg7 37. Rc2 exd4 38. cxd4 h5 39. e5 d5 40. Nd2 Nb8 41. Nf3 Kh6 42. h4 gxh4 43. Nxh4 Nxh4+ 44. gxh4 c6 45. Rg3 cxb5 46. axb5 a4 47. Ra2 Ra7 48. Nb2 Ra5 49. Nxa4 Nd7 50. Nc3 Rxa2 51. Nxa2 Rf4 52. Rd3 Rxh4 53. Nb4 Nxe5 54. Re3 Ng6 55. Rxe6 Rxd4 56. Nc6 Rg4+ 57. Kh2 Kg5 58. Ne7 Nxe7 59. Rxe7 Kf5 60. Rh7 Rg6 (60... d4 $19) 61. Rxh5+ Ke4 62. f3+ Kd4 63. f4 Kc4 64. Rg5 Rd6 65. Kg3 Kxb5 66. f5 Kc5 67. Kf4 b5 68. Rg1 d4 69. Ke5 Rd8 70. Rc1+ Kb4 71. Rb1+ Kc4 72. Rc1+ Kd3 73. f6 b4 74. f7 $2 {7-man tablebase says only 74 Rb1 and 74 Rd1+ (Kc3 75 Rc1+) draw here.} Rf8 $1 75. Rc7 Ke3 $2 (75... b3 $1 76. Rd7 (76. Rb7 b2 77. Rxb2 Rxf7 {is a theoretical win}) 76... b2 $19 77. Rxd4+ Kc2 {or ... Kc3}) 76. Kd5 d3 77. Kc4 d2 78. Re7+ Kf3 79. Rd7 Ke2 80. Re7+ Kd1 81. Kb3 Kc1 82. Rc7+ Kb1 83. Rd7 Rxf7 84. Rxd2 Rf3+ 1/2-1/2[

[Tim Harding]

Short and Howell took the day off today (varying from Aronian-So by repeating the knight checks).

[Jonathan Rogers]

Fair enough after a long and tense game the previous day, and moreover, the previous three days play too. But I bet they wouldn't say no if they were offered the chance to play tie breaks right now. I think this schedule is more daunting than it might appear and notwithstanding the prize money differential, I shouldn't wonder if they are too tired to be very enthused about playing a six game match.

[Paul Cooksey]

I don't mind the short draw in itself, but I see it as Short taking a day off against a younger opponent rather than a mutual decision.

[Nick Grey]

I think Short will win. He looked quite relaxed some 2 and a half hours ago.

[Phil Morgan]

Amid the self-congratulation that surrounds the London Classic, we had the 10 move draw between Short and Howell in Game 2 of the final. This may be a support event, but their actions devalue the game and the competition, and shows a disregard for paying spectators, and chess fans like myself who were looking forward to following their game. I hope both players reflect on what happened. Each of them has done so much in their careers to promote interest in chess as a spectator sport. Phil Morgan

[JustinHorton]

their actions devalue the game and the competition, and show a disregard for paying spectators, and chess fans like myself who were looking forward to following their game.

Was it the only game taking place?

[Nick Grey]

No there were 5 super GM games going on plus 20+ Open live boards.
Personally I feel that both players were not at their best because of the marathon session the day before. Anyway 4 more chances and I'll favour the old git with his experience.

I had the opportunity of watching the other games but having played my first round match, analysed my loss with my opponent, I just had another coffee and relaxing chat, before leaving for home.

I also imagine they had given 100s of autographs during the day - it is the only tournament I know that a group of children ask whether or not you are a grandmaster? I got asked twice within minutes of walking through the door.