London Chess Classic 2017

[John Moore]

Been looking at the games in the Open. Nice pairing Coleman Hawkins for those who collect pairings - for those who don't, he was a jazz saxophonist.
Had to turn off Charlie Nettleton's game. I know that it's possible to go a3 on move 2 against the Sicilian and follow up with Rb1 and b4 but I am not at all clear what's the purpose of 8 Na4 when White is already significantly worse.

[Michael Yeo]

Remarkable play by Luke, even given the time control.

Not really. I analysed this line out to a draw 5 years ago (with colours reversed: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5 Nd5!? etc). I suspect both players are still in their preparation (at move 15) as it is still following Motylev - Radjabov 2010.

[NickFaulks]

Remarkable play by Luke, even given the time control.

Not really. I analysed this line out to a draw 5 years ago (with colours reversed: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4 Nd5!? etc). I suspect both players are still in their preparation (at move 15) as it is still following Motylev - Radjabov 2010.

Yes, since posting I found that game too. Also, Mickey went down the same line only a few weeks ago, and he's not noted for taking major risks. Short's 16th move looks like a draw offer.

[David Gilbert]

Been looking at the games in the Open. Nice pairing Coleman Hawkins for those who collect pairings - for those who don't, he was a jazz saxophonist.

On Board 51 Nelson Van Delft was the owner of the Boston Celtics Basketball team, a minor character in a Harlan Coben crime thriller.

[LawrenceCooper]

At the start of Round 1 today in the FIDE Open, Malcolm addressed the Hall and confirmed that despite the earlier question marks, the London Chess Classic will indeed take place again in 2018.

Excellent news

[IM Jack Rudd]

[Event "9th CSC London Chess Classic"] [Site "Olympia Conference Centre, Lon"] [Date "2017.12.02"] [Round "1.59"] [White "De Coverly, Roger D"] [Black "Krishna Teja, N."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A00"] [WhiteElo "1921"] [BlackElo "2368"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2017.12.02"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O Nf6 7. Re1 d5 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. c3 Re8 10. e5 Nd7 11. d4 f6 12. exf6 Qxf6 13. Nb3 c4 14. Bg5 Qf5 15. Nc1 h6 16. Be3 g5 17. Ne2 Rf8 18. h4 g4 19. Nh2 Nf6 20. Nf4 Bd7 21. b3 Na5 22. bxc4 dxc4 23. Qb1 Kf7 24. Nf1 Rab8 25. Bd2 Qxb1 26. Raxb1 Rfe8 27. h5 Bc6 28. Ng6 Bxg2 29. Ne5+ Kg8 30. Kxg2 Rbd8 31. Nh2 b6 32. Nhxg4 Nxg4 33. Nxg4 Kh7 34. Bf4 Rd5 35. Be5 Nc6 36. f4 Ra5 37. Re2 Bxe5 38. fxe5 Rf8 39. Nf6+ Kg7 40. Rf1 Ra3 41. Rc2 Ne7 42. g4 b5 43. Rf3 a5 44. Rg3 Kh8 45. Nd7 Rg8 46. Nc5 Nd5 47. Kh3 Re8 48. Ne4 Nf4+ 49. Kh4 Nd3 50. g5 hxg5+ 51. Rxg5 Rf8 52. Nf6 Ne1 53. Rf2 Rxc3 54. Rg6 Rxf6 55. Rgxf6 1-0

[Nigel Short]

Remarkable play by Luke, even given the time control.

Not really. I analysed this line out to a draw 5 years ago (with colours reversed: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4 Nd5!? etc). I suspect both players are still in their preparation (at move 15) as it is still following Motylev - Radjabov 2010.

Yes, since posting I found that game too. Also, Mickey went down the same line only a few weeks ago, and he's not noted for taking major risks. Short's 16th move looks like a draw offer.

And what would you recommend if not 16.Kg2?

[NickFaulks]

And what would you recommend if not 16.Kg2?

Well, Motylev played 16.Kh1 and the game went on, but Black was the one who might have got the better of it. Superficially, 16.c3 is a try, but it probably isn't. Anyway, Nigel presumably knew all this and more.

A fascinating line which I had never seen until yesterday, and Short - McShane appears to have put it to bed. Both players have very watchable styles and I'm looking forward to the return game.

[LawrenceCooper]

Both semi-finals tied at 2-2 albeit Luke may live to regret not converting the fourth game, the mate in 4 beginning with Qf6+ on move 43 the most clearcut.

[Tim Harding]

Both semi-finals tied at 2-2 albeit Luke may live to regret not converting the fourth game, the mate in 4 beginning with Qf6+ on move 43 the most clearcut.

What about the mate in 2 starting 42 Rf6+

[LawrenceCooper]

Both semi-finals tied at 2-2 albeit Luke may live to regret not converting the fourth game, the mate in 4 beginning with Qf6+ on move 43 the most clearcut.

What about the mate in 2 starting 42 Rf6+

Nah, much harder

[Tim Harding]

McShane wins the Armageddon anyway or he would have had a sleepless night.

[LawrenceCooper]

McShane wins the Armageddon anyway or he would have had a sleepless night.

David also won.

[Tim Harding]

Maybe 6 minutes versus 4 (instead of the old 5) is too much advantage for White in Armageddon?

[LawrenceCooper]

Maybe 6 minutes versus 4 (instead of the old 5) is too much advantage for White in Armageddon?

Possibly, although it looked like we were going to get a win for white and a win for black until black went astray in the Howell-Sadler game.