European Youth Chess Championship 2017

National developments, strategies and ideas.
NickFaulks
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by NickFaulks » Sat Sep 09, 2017 4:24 pm

Leonard Barden wrote:Shlok has a clear edge against the No1 seed
1.d4, e6 2.Bf4, g5!?
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Leonard Barden
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by Leonard Barden » Sat Sep 09, 2017 4:33 pm

It worked for Shlok, though he later allowed Bs of opposite colours so the game was drawn. The Russian beat the Serb, so we have Royal and Vetokhin 5/5, Samunenkov and Verma 4.5.
Vetokhin v Royal in round 6 on Monday after the rest day will be a rematch of their game in the 2016 World Schools where Shreyas defeated the Russian to claim the silver medal.
Last edited by Leonard Barden on Sat Sep 09, 2017 4:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

NickFaulks
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by NickFaulks » Sat Sep 09, 2017 4:35 pm

Leonard Barden wrote:It worked for Shlok
Not criticising, wondering whether to try it myself.

edit : 2.e4 might find me out.
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John Higgs
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by John Higgs » Sun Sep 10, 2017 6:07 pm

Round 4 report from Simon Metcalfe

Round 4 and for Shlok and Shrez two great wins. The standard of chess is amazing, its easy to forget they are under 8s!

Shreyas had another comfortable opening where his opponent created a weak 'e' pawn and failed to deliver it. He then launched an attack on the 7th rank and won the game.

In Shlok's game, having won back two pawns the game began to swing in his favour before his opponent's seemingly routine took move allowed Shlok to pounce and go a rook up whilst swapping off the Queens. From then on he played solid chess and patiently moved to a comfortable win.

Akito is now in his stride and recorded back to back wins. He felt he had been out prepared and so found himself defending from middle game onwards. In the endgame, his opponent got into time trouble and over pushed allowing Akito's passed pawns to break through for the win.

Kashim's perseverance paid off as he recorded his first win. He has remained positive at all times which is to his credit. It was a game that he commanded from the start and felt comfortable throughput.

Alex was a little under the weather which was reflected in an uncharacteristic game from him. In such a competitive field it was a reminder of how even marginal differences can have a big effect upon performance. Hopefully he will be back to feeling his best in round 5.

Savin was in fine form. He as well prepared for his opponent and looked confident from the beginning. From then on he outplayed his opponent with some neat tactics to land point number three.

Ravi had an extraordinary game where he quickly found himself on the back foot. He defended well against an opponent who saw an opportunity to win on time. This may have been unwise with Ravi turning the tables to a winning position. Regrettably time was still a factor and Ravi was unable to execute in the time remaining. The draw was probably a fair result in what Ravi later described as a 'crazy game'.

Finally, Shyam played another fine game to draw with his Romanian opponent. Despite his best efforts he couldn't gain an advantage before he received an unexpected draw offer. With an uncertain outcome Shyam happily accepted and enjoyed an early dinner.

Another good day, 5 wins, 2 draws and plenty to look forward to.
"I'm not the one who got it wrong. I'm the only one who got it right". Carrie Mathison.

John Higgs
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by John Higgs » Mon Sep 11, 2017 11:44 am

Round 5 report from Simon Metcalfe

Round 5 saw Lavanya, Kian and Charlie bounce back. Lavanya had another strong opponent who quickly gained advantage in the opening and won a pawn on the Queens-side. However, this was not followed up with a suitable strategy resulting in some misplaced pieces. Lavanya launched a King-side offensive and delivered a beautiful checkmate on the 'H file' by sacrificing her Queen!

Kian had a painful wait for his victory as his opponent spent what must have felt like an eternity pouring over the board trying to find a way out of a mate in two. Eventually, having explored the possibilities, he admitted defeat and allowed Kian to play out the winning moves.

Charlie had a closed position where all 8 pawns were still on the board. He came up with a good middle game strategy but at some point lost tempo. Fortunately his opponent did not take advantage and having outpost squares Charlie slowly ground his Azerbaijani opponent down in the endgame and delivered a checkmate through a mating net by his Rook and Knight.

An interesting game for Ravi. He misplayed the opening giving his opponent had a slight edge. In his words 'a dubious attack on his King almost worked' but Ravi admitted to missing a tactical win and eventually this all led to a drawn ending.

Elliot was playing black against a very cautious opponent and came out of the opening with a slight advantage. His opponent played solidly thereafter giving Elliott few opportunities to attack. Reflecting on the game he had hoped his opponent would have been more ambitious but nonetheless solid play to take into round 6 and another half point.

Alex had a slightly frustrating day. He was feeling better but having been ahead out of the opening, he allowed a strong position to slip which allowed his opponent the opportunity to defend and force a draw.

Shyam's opponent surprised him in the opening. The position became tricky but Shyam managed to win a pawn in the complications and maintained this small advantage in the end game to win.

Finally, the Shrez and Shlok keep coming up with the goods. Shreyas played an excellent game, as those watching on line have already observed. He started comfortably using well prepared opening theory, continued to progress before easily converted the Rook endgame by storming his passed pawns. His 5/5 has him leading the event with four to play.

Shlok also executed his preparation perfectly and showed great tenacity against the top seed. Shlok slowly outplayed his strong Ukrainian opponent, one of the worlds best under 8s, to edge an advantage. Although a pawn up in the end game, Shlok just couldn't find a way through and he had to settle for a draw but nonetheless he had played a great game.

Another good tally from Team England; 5 wins and 4 draws. A rest day on Sunday (all the players and the coaches have worked very hard) and then the last 4 games with plenty to play for.

If you have the time, check out the live boards on Chess24.
"I'm not the one who got it wrong. I'm the only one who got it right". Carrie Mathison.

Leonard Barden
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by Leonard Barden » Mon Sep 11, 2017 4:32 pm

Shreyas now leads on 6/6 after his Russian opponent missed a subtle drawing chance in a pawn ending.
He is half a point ahead of the top seeded Ukrainian, who he meets next.

Shlok lost, unfortunately.

John Higgs
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by John Higgs » Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:39 pm

Round 7 today:

Pairings:

http://www.chess-results.com/tnr296071. ... =30&wi=984

Live board link:

https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tourn ... 2017/7/1/1

Why not watch Shreyas on board 97.
"I'm not the one who got it wrong. I'm the only one who got it right". Carrie Mathison.

LawrenceCooper
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by LawrenceCooper » Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:24 pm

John Higgs wrote:Round 7 today:

Pairings:

http://www.chess-results.com/tnr296071. ... =30&wi=984

Live board link:

https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tourn ... 2017/7/1/1

Why not watch Shreyas on board 97.
Good advice, 7/7 now :D

Leonard Barden
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by Leonard Barden » Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:28 pm

Shreyas defeated the Ukrainian top seed as White in a Benko Gambit which was messy for a while but where he eventually reached a winning rook ending.

He now leads by a full point with two rounds left. It's not over yet, as there will be one or two players on 6/7 who he has still to meet.

Mick Norris
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by Mick Norris » Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:30 pm

LawrenceCooper wrote:
John Higgs wrote:Round 7 today:

Pairings:

http://www.chess-results.com/tnr296071. ... =30&wi=984

Live board link:

https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tourn ... 2017/7/1/1

Why not watch Shreyas on board 97.
Good advice, 7/7 now :D
:D

7 straight wins; I think that's known as a Caruana?
Any postings on here represent my personal views

Leonard Barden
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by Leonard Barden » Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:35 pm

Mick Norris wrote:
LawrenceCooper wrote:
Good advice, 7/7 now


7 straight wins; I think that's known as a Caruana?
It's Caruana plus in this case, since Shreyas also won his final five games in the world U8 in Brazil.

John Higgs
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by John Higgs » Wed Sep 13, 2017 9:03 am

Round 6 report from Simon Metcalfe

Round 6 was a tough day; a few games were lost from promising positions leaving a few players frustrated but a respectable team score nonetheless.

We had some great wins; Kian was first to emerge. He played well from the beginning and quickly established a strong position and with his confidence rising, quickly pushed on for the win.

Shreyas was playing top board and for most of the game the outcome hung in the balance. Facing a tricky end game, Shreyas showed great tenacity to promote and win. 6/6 is great achievement and a board 1 encounter against the top seed awaits.

Within two hours Savin appeared with a broad grin. He was on the back foot to begin with but recovered in the middle game before playing the end game strongly and his forth point.

In Kishan's game his opponent made a serious mistake in the opening but unfortunately Kishan could not capitalize on it. In the middlegame his opponent sacrificed 2 pawns for an attack that shouldn't have worked but in time pressure Kishan decided to give back the material to subdue the attack. The game ended in a draw.

Charlie had an equal position out of the opening but an error in the middle game put him on the back foot. He fought back but time was becoming a factor for both players. With the time control several moves away both players were happy with a draw.

Elliott clearly enjoyed his game today. Not only a win but some satisfying play. He had a small advantage from the opening but with black's king stuck in the centre, Elliot's attack was overwhelming.

4 wins and 2 draws, team England is looking to bounce back tomorrow.

As Tigger 'says, it's not how fast you run or how high you climb, it's how far you bounce!'
Last edited by John Higgs on Wed Sep 13, 2017 4:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"I'm not the one who got it wrong. I'm the only one who got it right". Carrie Mathison.

Leonard Barden
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by Leonard Barden » Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:35 pm

Disaster has struck on move 10 of the eighth round.

NickFaulks
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by NickFaulks » Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:40 pm

Leonard Barden wrote:Disaster has struck on move 10 of the eighth round.
Good thing he had that full point lead, he can still win the tournament.
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LawrenceCooper
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Re: European Youth Chess Championship 2017

Post by LawrenceCooper » Wed Sep 13, 2017 2:18 pm

Leonard Barden wrote:Disaster has struck on move 10 of the eighth round.
:(

Fingers crossed for round 9.

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