Hans Niemann World Tour

[Paul Heaton]

I see what I understand is the UK’s strongest resident (Hans Niemann) will play a match against Nikita Vitiugov in London next week. He is currently taking on Anish Giri in Utrecht. Tickets for the London leg at £45 or so a day are relatively pricy.

https://gmhans.com/events/

[Ian Thompson]

I see what I understand is the UK’s strongest resident (Hans Niemann) will play a match against Nikita Vitiugov in London next week. He is currently taking on Anish Giri in Utrecht. Tickets for the London leg at £45 or so a day are relatively pricy.

https://gmhans.com/events/

Assuming the players are only receiving prize money for taking part, it's interesting to see the substantial differences in what each of his three opponents will get (e.g. if Giri loses he still gets more than Vitiugov will for winning).

[LawrenceCooper]

Hans won the blitz portion 7.5-4.5. Anish has just won the first classical game with black.

[Jon D'Souza-Eva]

Anish has just won the first classical game with black.

It looks like Niemann took an average of a minute per move in that game, with predictable results.

[LawrenceCooper]

Anish has just won the first classical game with black.

It looks like Niemann took an average of a minute per move in that game, with predictable results.

The commentators, who know him well, were getting rather annoyed with him blitzing out his moves in critical positions.

[LawrenceCooper]

Game 2 was an uneventful draw.

[Jon D'Souza-Eva]

I noticed that the Niemann vs Bacrot match will be held in a venue called Blitz Society in Paris (www.blitzsociety.fr). Has anyone on this forum been there?

[LawrenceCooper]

Hans wins game 3 with white so regains his three point (from the blitz) match lead with the classical now level at +1=1-1.

[Jon D'Souza-Eva]

Hans wins game 3 with white so regains his three point (from the blitz) match lead with the classical now level at +1=1-1.

Nice sac of entire rook by White near the end of the game - White's pawns were so great he didn't need it!
https://lichess.org/broadcast/hans-niem ... QKV#boards

[LawrenceCooper]

Game 4 is proving difficult for Hans to finish off despite an extra piece.

[Jon D'Souza-Eva]

Game 4 is proving difficult for Hans to finish off despite an extra piece.

Giri inexplicably swapped rooks and Niemann's remaining pawn is a rook pawn where his bishop controls the queening square.

[LawrenceCooper]

Game 4 is proving difficult for Hans to finish off despite an extra piece.

Giri inexplicably swapped rooks and Niemann's remaining pawn is a rook pawn where his bishop controls the queening square.

Yes, a very odd decision after he seemed to have saved a draw from what looked like an inevitable defeat on move 63.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Niemann ties the rapid portion to secure a clear win overall.

[Mick Norris]

Is anyone intending to pay to go and watch the London match?

[Mike Gunn]

Yes, I have bought a ticket for Wednesday, but I'm beginning to wonder whether that will be money down the drain as there is contradictory information on the booking site (eventbrite: classic chess on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and chess-results (rapidplay on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). Also I can find no evidence that the match actually started yesterday anywehere online. Hans was playing Giri on Sunday and I say a brief reference somewhere to him saying the London match starts on Wednesday, so I'm crossing my fingers ...