London Chess Classic 2023

[Paul Heaton]

I've just noticed this is in "ECF Matters", not sure why as there aren't many ECF members in it.

On the first point, poor hand eye co-ordination from me in choosing ECF Matters when I intended International News when creating the thread. Obviously should be in the latter.

On your second point, the ratings database shows Vitiugov and McShane continue to not be ECF members (post their representing the ECF in Pula). Which leaves me wondering if the event is to be rated by the ECF, is the ECF “pay to play” fee a deduction from their appearance fee or being paid directly.

[Roger de Coverly]

Which leaves me wondering if the event is to be rated by the ECF, is the ECF “pay to play” fee a deduction from their appearance fee or being paid directly.

It's a liability of the organisers. Nothing compels them to recoup it from the players.

At one time the Indian Chess Federation was said to award a house and a car to newly qualified GMs. The ECF could at least offer complimentary life membership.

[LawrenceCooper]

I've just noticed this is in "ECF Matters", not sure why as there aren't many ECF members in it. I hope the organizers have apologised to Niemann for spelling his name wrongly in the overview.

The Shreyas ending looks tricky to me, plenty of opportunities for either player to foul it up.

After many evaluations swings between white win and draw Shreyas gets his half.

[Mick Norris]

Tomorrow is:

Adams (4.5) - Volokitin
Royal - Gukesh (4)
Tabatabaei (3.5) - Vitiugov
Niemann - Bartel
McShane - Moussard

Mickey finishes with white v Luke and black v Shreyas
Gukesh has white v Tabatabaei and black v Niemann

[Kevin Thurlow]

"On the first point, poor hand eye co-ordination from me in choosing ECF Matters when I intended International News when creating the thread."

Fair enough! Easy to do...

"At one time the Indian Chess Federation was said to award a house and a car to newly qualified GMs. The ECF could at least offer complimentary life membership."

Sounds reasonable. It seems a bit much to demand money from people playing on board 46 of the annual friendly match between the Taylor Swift Fan Club and Aston Villa Reserves, and not demand it from people representing their country. Incidentally, I checked the eligibility rules of the European Team event, and you need to be a citizen of the country in question, not a member of that country's federation.

[NickFaulks]

After many evaluations swings between white win and draw Shreyas gets his half.

Tenacious defence by Shreyas, but our new top board is in danger of getting a reputation for throwing away straightforward wins.

[Mick Norris]

Shreyas doing ok today

Mickey draws to reach 5/7

[John Moore]

Bartel goes completely mad against Niemann from around move 28, chucking two pieces away.

[LawrenceCooper]

Bartel goes completely mad against Niemann from around move 28, chucking two pieces away.

Take a look now at move 44 though.

[John Moore]

Yes, Loz, but Qc2 with half an hour on the clock. Really!

[John Moore]

Having said that, maybe it's difficult but surely not for a strong GM.

[LawrenceCooper]

Yes, Loz, but Qc2 with half an hour on the clock. Really!

I can understand him missing e7 Qg4+ mating when calculating ahead although it does stand out a bit more after the recapture on c2.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Niemann appears to have missed 44.Qh6+, as White can evade the perpetual by not capturing the knight in the subsequent play.

[LawrenceCooper]

Niemann appears to have missed 44.Qh6+, as White can evade the perpetual by not capturing the knight in the subsequent play.

I think what he missed in the line he chose was that after 44 Qxc2 Rxc2 the apparently crushing 45 e7 is refuted by Qg4+ and if 46 Rxg4 Ne3 is mate. No doubt he will be kicking himself for not taking more time to see that Qh6+ and e7 wins.

[LawrenceCooper]

Shreyas has drawn his game with white against Gukesh so Mickey remains half a point clear of second.