London Chess Classic 2023

[John Moore]

Does a draw tomorrow give Mickey a win on tiebreak. You would assume so in which case that will, no doubt, influence his decision.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Shreyas could come as high as 5th if he wins tomorrow... (and there could be as many as four players tying for first place). I cannot see an obvious location or document (or any official documents) detailing the tie-break used. There are only four tiers of prizes: 1st £15,000, 2nd £10,000, 3rd £7,500, 4th £6,000.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

In the last game to finish in round 8, Bartel continues his run of no draws and now has four losses and four wins.

[Mick Norris]

Does a draw tomorrow give Mickey a win on tiebreak. You would assume so in which case that will, no doubt, influence his decision.

Aren't the prizes shared?

Giri will be hoping Mickey doesn't lose

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Does a draw tomorrow give Mickey a win on tiebreak. You would assume so in which case that will, no doubt, influence his decision.

Aren't the prizes shared?

Giri will be hoping Mickey doesn't lose

If shared monetary prizes (and only trophy on tie-break), then the difference between a 3-way tie for first and sole first is about £4166. Not that much relatively speaking (I am presuming the conditions for the participants outweigh that, though I have absolutely no idea what the going rate for GM-tournament conditions are these days, or ever if I am completely honest).

Giri could help Mickey prepare. Gukesh could help Shreyas prepare!

(Does anyone know if the draw was done by drawing lots, or was it set up for this to be the final round pairing?)

[Jonathan Rogers]

I guess that someone must know the tiebreak?! But it does occur to me that the Classic has a history of preferring number of wins, sometimes to excess (remember the controversy over the second edition). This would obviously favour Amin Tabatabaei, if he we were to win tomorrow while Mickey draws - and he will be White against the currently unfortunate Moussard. Gukesh would also do better than Adams on that basis, if he wins tomorrow, since he will have thrown a loss and extra win into the mix.

So if Adams really wants the trophy and extra prize money he will want to win. But I cannot help wondering whether he will really be that bothered, and whether he might be tempted to finish a good +3 event and just see whether the others do in fact bring in the full points. I also expect he is tired (going back to the draw agreement with Gukesh) and he hasn't played so well since the rest day.

I have been very impressed with Shreyas, btw. Will this be his first GM norm? Well deserved norm in any event, assuming that he makes the draw tomorrow.

[LawrenceCooper]

I guess that someone must know the tiebreak?! But it does occur to me that the Classic has a history of preferring number of wins, sometimes to excess (remember the controversy over the second edition). This would obviously favour Amin Tabatabaei, if he we were to win tomorrow while Mickey draws - and he will be White against the currently unfortunate Moussard. Gukesh would also do better than Adams on that basis, if he wins tomorrow, since he will have thrown a loss and extra win into the mix.

So if Adams really wants the trophy and extra prize money he will want to win. But I cannot help wondering whether he will really be that bothered, and whether he might be tempted to finish a good +3 event and just see whether the others do in fact bring in the full points. I also expect he is tired (going back to the draw agreement with Gukesh) and he hasn't played so well since the rest day.

I have been very impressed with Shreyas, btw. Will this be his first GM norm? Well deserved norm in any event, assuming that he makes the draw tomorrow.

AnnaMaja, in the official commentary, said that prize money would be shared but there would be a play-off.

Shreyas already has one norm so this would be his second, having narrowly missed out at the Grand Swiss.

[Steven DuCharme]

Back to back els for Niemann. Chess is dead

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Back to back els for Niemann. Chess is dead

"els"? Do you mean his back-to-back losses in rounds 6 and 7?

[Matt Mackenzie]

McShane ends his disappointing tournament with a quick draw, whilst Niemann might at least end it on a high note.

Adams and Royal still playing contrary to some predictions, but the youngster holding his own so far.

[LawrenceCooper]

McShane ends his disappointing tournament with a quick draw, whilst Niemann might at least end it on a high note.

Adams and Royal still playing contrary to some predictions, but the youngster holding his own so far.

Shreyas-Mickey drawn in 31 moves ensuring Shreyas has his second GM norm and Mickey a share of first.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Unless Moussard implodes again, looking like outright first for Mickey. In the live rating lists, Mickey has gained over 13 points, while Vitiugov has lost nearly 18, narrowing the gap between the top England players.

Tabatabaei, who will take second, is still pushing his peak ranking higher (aged 22) and looks likely to break 2700 soon. This is even more impressive given that he lost to both Mickey and Shreyas!

[Mick Norris]

Well done Mickey and great result for Shreyas

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Well done Mickey and great result for Shreyas"

Indeed - well done both.

[Roger Lancaster]

Tabatabaei still trying for the win which he needs to tie Mickey. His extra pawn isn't good enough to win, silicon reports, but one can hardly blame him for giving it a go!