BRITISH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS - THE GAMES

[Matthew Turner]

Is Adams losing a pawn with Rg4 after a few exchanges?

[Graham Borrowdale]

In view of the now locked king side should we now expect a draw soon in Gordon-Short? To be followed by a draw in Adams-Zhou?

[Alex Holowczak]

"...the unfortunate loss of a couple of computers last night." -- Andrew Martin

Oh dear.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

"...the unfortunate loss of a couple of computers last night." -- Andrew Martin

Oh dear.

In an unlocked room?

[Alex Holowczak]

No idea. The quote was all he said.

[Matthew Turner]

I don't like how that has gone for Short. Is it possible that the top two could lose?

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Short's bishop does look a bit useless. So if the top two lose, Hawkins and Jones could overtake them. That would be a massive upset.

[Alexander Hardwick]

I don't like how that has gone for Short. Is it possible that the top two could lose?

I doubt it, to be honest. It seems improbable that Adams can lose from this endgame (just after White's move 31). Meanwhile, in Short's game (just after Black's move 31) the players are beginning to repeat moves with their rooks, and a draw seems likely.

[Graham Borrowdale]

It looks possible they could both lose, but Zhou does not seem to have started any active play. I still think two draws quite soon.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Agreed. Two draws look likely but then a three way tie with Hawkins might be the result - which would give the England selectors a lot to think about ...
Presumably they play rapid first and blitz if necessary. I don't know, has anyone actually seen Hawkins play blitz?!

[Jonathan Bryant]

It seems improbable that Adams can lose from this endgame (just after White's move 31) ....

Improbably why? He seems to have a lot of weak pawns and weak squares. Not saying he will lose but I'm not sure I'd be quite so confident that he won't.

As for Gordon-Short. White may well just be shuffling to make the time control. Let's see.

[Matthew Turner]

I am pretty confident that Gordon and Zhou are both playing to win (i.e. would turn down a draw).

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Can anyone tell if the position repeated three times in Gordon-Short, I would guess not, but it felt possible that the players might have repeated without realising or claiming a draw.

[Jonathan Rogers]

How does either side seek progress on board one?

[Alexander Hardwick]

Improbably why? He seems to have a lot of weak pawns and weak squares. Not saying he will lose but I'm not sure I'd be quite so confident that he won't.

OK, now I have to try to back up my unfounded assertion. (As after White's move 32) Zhou's rook seems misplaced. White appears to have the important squares on the g-file covered. (Of course, now I realise that White's rook, by the same rationale, is misplaced too). I also thought that White had good chances based on creating an outside passed pawn with b5 (having overlooked Black's move 31...d5, which prevents this).

Actually, I take back what I said. Black has simply relocated his rook to the d-file, where it becomes a strong piece. And if anything, White's king is misplaced, and White may have trouble defending the b-pawn. I've been converted and I suddenly think Black's position looks rather better.

As for Gordon-Short. White may well just be shuffling to make the time control. Let's see.

Good point, that hadn't occurred to me. I was wondering why both players were finding as many ways as possible of shifting pieces around without forcing a draw.