English Chess Forum

It feels a bit unfortunate that the lowest rated player gets a full point bye in round 2.

David Sedgwick wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 8:49 am

He shouldn't have done. Players are supposed to leave the playing area as soon as they have finished, as at Olympiads.

Incidentally, there are two playing halls, with Boards 1-34 in one and Boards 35 -77 in the other.

I hope it's not like one tournament I played in a long time ago where there were two playing rooms and players on lower boards weren't allowed in the other room where the higher boards were.

Matthew Turner wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:45 am

It feels a bit unfortunate that the lowest rated player gets a full point bye in round 2.

That's how the FIDE pairing rules are written. When someone is consistently the lowest rated in successive tournaments, or is at the end of the alphabet if unrated, they see more than a fair share of byes.

Carlsen was lucky to win. Wonder if he will be able to beat Ding's unbeaten streak - I think it unlikely. This is a strong tournament (but then Carlsen is a strong player!).

Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 10:22 am

Matthew Turner wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:45 am

It feels a bit unfortunate that the lowest rated player gets a full point bye in round 2.

That's how the FIDE pairing rules are written. When someone is consistently the lowest rated in successive tournaments, or is at the end of the alphabet if unrated, they see more than a fair share of byes.

The rules and implementation are correct. Moreover, you would hardly want to give a bye as early in round 2 to somebody who might go on a winning streak and (however improbably) qualify for the Candidates?
Is this guy (Baard Dahl) an Isle of Man player or a sponsor? Otherwise it's hard to understand what a 2067-rated player is doing in this event.

Also, do we know why GM Nabaty is not playing round 2? Has he fallen ill?

Tim Harding wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:50 am

Is this guy (Baard Dahl) an Isle of Man player or a sponsor?

Head of Game Integrity for PokerStars

Ian Thompson wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:54 am

I hope it's not like one tournament I played in a long time ago where there were two playing rooms and players on lower boards weren't allowed in the other room where the higher boards were.

My understanding (which may be incorrect) is that players in play are allowed in both rooms, but players who have finished their games are not allowed in either.

Tim Harding wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:50 am

Is this guy (Baard Dahl) an Isle of Man player or a sponsor?

The former, and at one time also the latter, since he works or used to work for PokerStars.

Tim Harding wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:50 am

Also, do we know why GM Nabaty is not playing round 2? Has he fallen ill?

That is a question to which I don't know the answer.

"Players are supposed to leave the playing area as soon as they have finished, as at Olympiads."

In that case, I hope Keith wasn't dragged kicking and screaming from the hall as he couldn't watch his favourite ending..

Imagine losing in round 1 then getting black vs Anand as a reward. I'd love it, but not everybody would.

On a smaller scale, I lost in round one (to a regular in this forum) in 1992 in Wolverhampton and got black vs Tony Miles (then world 47=) as a reward.

Anyone know why they only appear to be showing half the games?

They seem to have them all now. Was it anything to do with there being two playing halls?

After little more than half an hour, the top board game has reached move 28

JustinHorton wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 3:37 pm

After little more than half an hour, the top board game has reached move 28

Now at move 29 and I think Sarana has a draw if he wants it.

Angus French wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 3:48 pm

JustinHorton wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 3:37 pm

After little more than half an hour, the top board game has reached move 28

Now at move 29 and I think Sarana has a draw if he wants it.

Looks winning for Sarana (who has White), maybe?