English Chess Forum

Let's hope so. As things stand, if I were a betting man I would be asking for the odds on David Eggleston.

On a more positive note, I now "recognise" the Major Open, after all these years - the qualifiers from that will really have earned their place in the championship next year.

Yep major open is quite a bit stronger. I understand trying to make the championship stronger by removing the tail end. However I find it difficult to understand why a young fm 2297 ECF 222 Eli equivalent 2365 can’t get into the British when there is a 159 at the bottom of the British.

Yes, it's good to see a stronger Major Open.

FWIW, on checking the bulletin, I see the 1998 Major Open - possibly the first in which I played and also at Torquay - had over 100 players with, I count, 71 rated >= 2000 and 10 of those rated >= 2200.

RobWillmoth wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:43 pm

Yep major open is quite a bit stronger. I understand trying to make the championship stronger by removing the tail end. However I find it difficult to understand why a young fm 2297 ECF 222 Eli equivalent 2365 can’t get into the British when there is a 159 at the bottom of the British.

Yes, I would have thought it safe enough to allow FMs who are still both over 2200 and over 200 ECF in the Championship. Or perhaps they should be in a grey area where they can choose. But I am NOT intending to suggest a full rewrite to all the qualification rules!

Yes I agree. Or include the ECF equivalent

Jonathan Rogers wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 23, 2019 12:24 pm

Let's hope so. As things stand, if I were a betting man I would be asking for the odds on David Eggleston.

Eggy has beaten 7 GMs in his last 3 Britishes, and clinched GM norms in 2 of them by getting the required result against me. However, I will return!

Keith Arkell wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 23, 2019 12:36 am

Though in itself hardly likely to get numbers up to desired levels, expect a flurry of GM entrants at some point. I'm going to confidently guess 10, with 9 being my hedge

According to Malcolm in the July issue of Chess

While sponsorship is unfortunately lacking this year, I'm pleased that Michael Adams and David Howell will be playing at Torquay, as well as a smattering of some of our other leading players.

Decision making for this year's British has been a bit erratic. First of all moving the late entry fee date a month earlier than usual and then not seeking any publicity of the change, but then having the decision reversed. Did the Directors not know and previously approve it?

There also seems reason to believe that the lack of GMs entering before the end of May was at least in part that they were unable to find out whether any "conditions" aka fees/subsidies were to be made available. Entries to most other sections look healthy.

What Malcom said was correct, with Nick Pert as well.

The current top 10

Howell, David WL
Adams, Michael
Pert, Nicholas
Gordon, Stephen J
Ghasi, Ameet K
Emms, John M
Williams, Simon K
Arkell, Keith C
Pert, Richard G
Wadsworth, Matthew J
Ward, Chris G

I havea room in the 3* Maquis Hotel in Torquay which I booked months ago at a decent rate for 9 nights (£450) 26th July-Aug 4th. I can cancel it for free - but if anyone is looking for a single room then you wont be able to match this rate booking now - so if you want the room let me know within the next week or so.

http://www.marquishotel.co.uk/

Cheers,

Paul

Hi Paul
Do you still have this room. I know a junior who is looking for a room
Ta

Rob I messaged you but no response ... I assume they are sorted?

Strange I didn’t get a response. Do you still have the room or is it gone . It’s for a 17 student from Barnet knights notmyself

Maybe text me on 07956 297329

10 GMs and 13 IMs in the Championship section which is now looking quite tasty though you would imagine its a two horse race for the title itself.

Couple of questions/points:

- When was the last time IM Malcolm Pein (playing this year) played in the British?
- Matthew Wadsworth and Adam C. Taylor listed as FMs, though they were recently ratified as IMs.
- Anyone know why IM Brandon Clarke is in the Major Open, not the British?
- Of the 55 entries, only 8 are non-ENG (two AUS, one each LTU, NGR, IRL, POL, GCI and JCI).

i.e. Australia, Lithuania, Nigeria, Ireland, Poland, Guernsey and Jersey.

Will that relative lack of non-ENG players affect norm chances?
No Scottish or Welsh players!