World Youth Championships

[NickFaulks]

. Also that person should have a healthy suspicion for links between the FIDE rating system and rational statistics.

Even if that comment has any meaning at all, I'm not sure how it interacts with anti-cheating.

[John McKenna]

Perhaps the interaction is meant to imply that to extrapolate, in some way or other, beyond FIDE rating performances in the direction of the detection of cheating is a fine exercise in rational statistics that may require the equivalent of a modern Sherlock Holmes ably assisted by Dr. Watson. (Not to mention Batman & Robin to catch the perps red-handed.) And, not a task for a latter-day Inspector Lestrade (or Chief O'Hara).

[Carl Hibbard]

So what to do about Mr Lovelock and his magic hat? I'd imagine they will be in action again this evening in a Highcliffe A v Ringwood away fixture. 17 wins, 2 draws and counting in standard play in the last 3 months. January standard rating will be over 200 for sure.

Surely the first thing that you do is ensure that the relevant League officers are aware of the concerns being expressed about Mr Lovelock, particularly in the light of his less than stellar performance in the LCC Festival Super Blitz.

That is all that is needed otherwise it’s utter speculation.

[Ian Thompson]

So what to do about Mr Lovelock and his magic hat? I'd imagine they will be in action again this evening in a Highcliffe A v Ringwood away fixture. 17 wins, 2 draws and counting in standard play in the last 3 months. January standard rating will be over 200 for sure.

No comments made about the hat, but the match card says:

"There was naturally a lot of interest in the top board clash between Declan and Kenny. It was unsurprisingly given the speed at which both play that it was the first to finish! Clock times at the end was in Kenny's favour - he had gained 6 minutes to Declan's 4 minutes over the hour they started with!

"In a complicated Benoni, Kenny, as black, sacrificed a pawn to leave Declan with doubled isolated b pawns. However, in the play that followed Declan's pieces found active squares on both sides of the board, and forced capitulation. One up to Highcliffe."

[Roger de Coverly]

"There was naturally a lot of interest in the top board clash between Declan and Kenny. I

Those who knew Ken Harman in his younger days regarded him as one of the best Blitz players in the country. I doubt he ever had a 1/9 disaster at Blitz.

[Matt Bridgeman]

Based on his run of Dorset games I think Declan is set to be the highest rated, or top 2-3, highest rated under 16 in the country.

[Richard Bates]

Perhaps it’s telekinesis? (see t-shirt worn in pictures from Dorset blitz)

[Matt Bridgeman]

Probably a little in-joke. You might get a close up if you end up playing him in a few months time

[Alex Holowczak]

Based on his run of Dorset games I think Declan is set to be the highest rated, or top 2-3, highest rated under 16 in the country. I think it puts Alex in a slightly awkward position in that he may have to consider inviting him onto the England Junior Team

The Junior Selection Policy ignores ECF grades at that age group.

[Tim Spanton]

Based on his run of Dorset games I think Declan is set to be the highest rated, or top 2-3, highest rated under 16 in the country. I think it puts Alex in a slightly awkward position in that he may have to consider inviting him onto the England Junior Team, especially if Declan manages to similarly increase his standard play FIDE somewhere. I get the impression Declan’s method of cheating is quite sophisticated, and may continue for quite some time if he now avoids high scrutiny events like the London Chess Classic and the 4NCL. There may well be some more highly rated ‘victims’ to come in 2020. Whether one idea might be to pool his games on this thread for people to consider? His win over Allan Pleasants was an engine-like destruction apparently.

My game against him is available, with my notes at the time, at https://beauchess.blogspot.com/2019/10/blitzed.html
There is little point comparing opening moves with engine recommendations as engines are not strong enough to play the opening well (unless following pre-programmed moves).
But if you look at the game from around move 10, you will see engines (at least Stockfish10 and Komodo10) are deeply unimpressed with his novelty 13.Nbd4, but they like everything else he played (once they 'get' 17.Rfd1).

[Matt Bridgeman]

okay... deleted comment

[Carl Hibbard]

Presumably his ‘method’ is to mix in some of his own moves early on before letting the engine lift him to the spectacular victory.

Again speculation I would prefer it if we stop this one.

[Richard Bates]

Presumably his ‘method’ is to mix in some of his own moves early on before letting the engine lift him to the spectacular victory.

Again speculation I would prefer it if we stop this one.

Agree, what ever suspicions might be, think Matt is going too far. Might be worth deleting comments which imply suspicion as statements of fact.

[Nick Thomas]

He could be a new category of chess genius and should be treated that way. I think the ECF should consider funding his development straight away. He would of course need to be assessed in person by an expert panel first to assess the level of funding.

[Matt Bridgeman]

Deleted the last one. No problems.