The British itself!

[Jonathan Rogers]

Are the R11 parings out yet? Can anyone remember what was decided about playoffs? I have a vague memory that they were not going to do that this year because of people leaving to go to the Olympiad?

because of "person" going to the Olympiad ...

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Ahem! There is more than one person going from this tournament to the Olympiad.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Ahem! There is more than one person going from this tournament to the Olympiad.

come on, we are only talking about the play off for the British title itself, who else are you thinking about?!

[Christopher Kreuzer]

OK, I admit only Howell was ever likely to make any playoff. Do you think Howell will beat Hebden tomorrow? Any predictions for the other games?

EDIT: Last round tomorrow starts early: "Round 11 begins at 9.30 am".

[Mick Norris]

Analysis of Hawkins - N Pert from round 9 here

http://www.viewchess.com/cbreader/2014/ ... 33281.html

[Stewart Reuben]

Christopher >Now I'm going to have to ask when the British ever lacked a GM on top board in the last round! <

There ws no British GM at all until 1976. I don't think any played in 1981.
1993 in Dundee IM Michael Hennigan won the playoff against IM Dharshan Kumaran.

[Ian Thompson]

Christopher >Now I'm going to have to ask when the British ever lacked a GM on top board in the last round! <

There ws no British GM at all until 1976. I don't think any played in 1981.

Speelman played in 1981. Even if he was the only GM, I'll bet it was still a stronger championship than this year. The lowest rated players were rated c. 2100 (converted from BCF grades) then. That would only just be in the bottom half of the draw this year.

[IM Jack Rudd]

So they'd have been what, about 187? The bottom seed this year is graded 179.

[Simon Brown]

Ian, I agree. I tried for many years to qualify for the British and succeeded just once, when I couldn't take the place for work reasons. My current dormant rating, admittedly a bit high after 18 years of inactivity, would have made me the 15th seed this year, which is the highest since I have been following remotely.

Trust you are well.

[Jonathan Rogers]

... Do you think Howell will beat Hebden tomorrow? Any predictions for the other games?

With White, and a real chance of joint first (or even sole first if Hawkins has a nervous collapse)? Yes, I tend to think he will, and will be joint first with Hawkins.

EDIT: Last round tomorrow starts early: "Round 11 begins at 9.30 am".

Thanks for that; I would never have guessed otherwise. It is normal enough on the continent but not here - in fact, starting a round at 9.30 in England (in a one game per day event) is probably even more heretical than finishing the Brtish on a Wednesday!

[Jonathan Rogers]

Christopher >Now I'm going to have to ask when the British ever lacked a GM on top board in the last round! <

There ws no British GM at all until 1976. I don't think any played in 1981.

Speelman played in 1981. Even if he was the only GM, I'll bet it was still a stronger championship than this year. The lowest rated players were rated c. 2100 (converted from BCF grades) then. That would only just be in the bottom half of the draw this year.

Fully agree. I also think Chandler played in 1981 (I believe the winner, Paul Littlewood, beat him in round six) and I assume Murray too was a GM by then.

[Jonathan Rogers]

So they'd have been what, about 187? The bottom seed this year is graded 179.

But I bet the players towards the top of the bottom half are still around 187 ... anyway you are not taking into account recent grading inflation, which affects most of the players in the bottom half in particular.

[Graham Borrowdale]

It could be an interesting last round. If Hebden were to win the title, or share first, I imagine he would be an extremely popular winner - the 'Jimmy White of British chess' if you like. But letting my head rule, I think Howell has a very good chance to win, playing white, and it is difficult to see beyond a draw on top board. But I am usually wrong.
Thanks for the reminder about the 9.30 start!

[Jonathan Rogers]

Funnily enough I was thinking the other day that Simon Wiliams might be the Jimmy White of British chess championships! Admittedly Hebden has been at it a lot longer. We should have a poll

[Matthew Turner]

It is an interesting last round because the players on the top 2 boards have all got a chance
Jonathan Hawkins has been the best player. In round 11 he faces an opponent 100 point lower than himself and the pairing on board 2 gives him a reasonable chance of securing the title outright with a draw.
Richard Pert has White against an opponent who seems to be trying to draw out so might be a bit vulnerable. Richard might also have some brotherly support for preparation
David Howell has White, he'll know what to expect from Mark and I think he has a good record against. After the start he made David might feel very lucky to still have a chance.
On the face of it Mark has the toughest draw and beating David with Black is going to be tough, but Mark can console himself that David hasn't been playing well and if he can hang in there, time trouble seems to be more of a problem than ever.

Predictions for results,
draw on one
David to win on two
Nick to win on three

So David and Jonathan playing off for the title.