English Women's Championship

[JustinHorton]

Fourth round began this morning. Louise Head currently big favourite to beat Kanwal Bhatia in the top game. Final round this afternoon.

[IM Jack Rudd]

The last round bye's going to go to someone on 2/4, isn't it? That's a bit unfortunate.

[JustinHorton]

This tells me that the second tie-break is "rating". Does that mean the lowest rating wins, and in that case has Louise won already?

[Ian Thompson]

The last round bye's going to go to someone on 2/4, isn't it? That's a bit unfortunate.

It must be very unusual to get a bye when you're on 50%. It must also be unusual for only a quarter of the field to be on less than 50% and for all of them to have had the bye already.

[Roger de Coverly]

This[/url] tells me that the second tie-break is "rating". Does that mean the lowest rating wins, and in that case has Louise won already?

That link gives

The winner will also qualify for a place in the England women’s team in the 2018 Women’s Olympiad Team. In the event of a tie for 1st place, the prize money will be shared, and the player in the tie with the highest rating in the May 2018 FIDE-rating list will be selected.

The prize money and presumably the title is shared, whilst the Olympiad place goes to the highest rating in May 2018. Her two rivals are team regulars anyway.

[IM Jack Rudd]

I don't know what's going on in Maroroa v Head, but it looks fun.

[JustinHorton]

Link

[JustinHorton]

I have a feeling they might even (after White's twelfth) still be in theory. (Déjà vu, but not from any game of mine or any line I've played.)

[LawrenceCooper]

I have a feeling they might even (after White's twelfth) still be in theory. (Déjà vu, but not from any game of mine or any line I've played.)

I couldn't find any games with Qc7 but the sacrifice looks interesting and a very good practical try given the tournament situation.

[IM Jack Rudd]

All over. Louise Head is English women's champion. And, if my calculations are correct, a WFM-elect.

[JustinHorton]

Hurrah! Took no prisoners today at any rate.

[Ian Thompson]

The last round bye's going to go to someone on 2/4, isn't it? That's a bit unfortunate.

It must be very unusual to get a bye when you're on 50%. It must also be unusual for only a quarter of the field to be on less than 50% and for all of them to have had the bye already.

... and even more unusual for the person getting the bye in the last round to tie for 3rd place in the tournament and get in the prize money.

[LawrenceCooper]

The last game to finish in the tournament was also the first draw of the event.

[Alex Longson]

I was at the event supporting Sarah. It's the first time I've come across Louise but I have to say I was very impressed with the maturity of her play - I think all five of her games were impressive in their own way. Good mix of positional understanding, aggression when required and counter-attacking in the final round. Two areas I would point out for future development would be opening knowledge and ability to orientate in complicated positions - when the requirements were clear I thought she played very well and confidently.