The British itself!

[Jonathan Bryant]

Should Williams go for a win, or would he be happy with a draw as well.

'Playing for a draw' is not really a phrase you associate with Simon Williams. Even if it was, if he wants to win the tournament he’s really got to go for it.


Somebody should do one of those spread betting things for how far ahead on the clock Jack Rudd gets against David Howell. 90 minutes not out of the question. 2 hours a possibility if things go well.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

'Playing for a draw' is not really a phrase you associate with Simon Williams. Even if it was, if he wants to win the tournament he’s really got to go for it.

I disagree (though I agree Williams is unlikely to ever play cautiously over the board, especially not with White). Hawkins has yet to play the other GMs in the field, while Williams has defeated the top seed. Williams could draw today and still draw ahead over the final rounds. The question may be whether Hawkins has something prepared for Williams, or whether it will get messy early on.

[Jonathan Bryant]

'Playing for a draw' is not really a phrase you associate with Simon Williams. Even if it was, if he wants to win the tournament he’s really got to go for it.

I disagree (though I agree Williams is unlikely to ever play cautiously over the board, especially not with White). Hawkins has yet to play the other GMs in the field, while Williams has defeated the top seed. Williams could draw today and still draw ahead over the final rounds. The question may be whether Hawkins has something prepared for Williams, or whether it will get messy early on.

I agree that’s possible, but I would suggest it’s not the mindset of somebody who’s serious about maximising their chances of winning the tournament.

Another side bet opportunity for Rudd - Howell: will Jack play the whole game in less time that it takes his opponent to make his first move?

[Carl Hibbard]

Does Howell always start late too?

[Jonathan Bryant]

Does Howell always start late too?

Seems to. Although it could just be when I’m watching. In my mental filing system I have him next to Peter Wells in the folder marked "Usually ends up in time trouble so why turn up late as well?"

[benedgell]

Think Keith Arkell's reached this type of position in the QGD more times then I've played chess! And probably won it more times to boot.

[Jonathan Bryant]

Think Keith Arkell's reached this type of position in the QGD more times then I've played chess! And probably won it more times to boot.

Indeed. I lost in a very similar line against Keith in Penarth last year. I’d say it was very unwise to head into it, regardless of the objective evaluation of the position, except ...

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1725663

[benedgell]

Jack's barely an hour up after 21 moves. Slow going.

[Simon Cage]

It's not looking like the best of positions for him, though.

[Simon Brown]

Not going to last much longer I guess

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Williams-Hawkins looks level-ish (according to the Chessdom engines). Not sure if either player can risk much there, both tied to the kingside.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

37.Rc1 was strange. No real time pressure. Did Williams miss that 37...Qxf4 protected c7?

[Peter D Williams]

Yang-Fan looks to be winning

18 minute before lighing Barbecue.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Hawkins has 20 minutes to find 40...Qe5 (threatening Rxh3+ with mate). Some nice tactics there.

[benedgell]

I think Bb5 probably is pretty decent for black as well.