31 Jul 09
Originally posted by atticus2And how could you refute 15...Nh5 ?
Yes, I never got a kick. Jack's Nh5 is completely wrong of course, but it so fazed me, I turned it into a reasonable move. After that, I could never get any squares. I also found it very disconcerting, never having met JR before, to spend, say, twenty minutes over a move whereupon Jack would return to the board and move instantly! This might be misinterpreted by some players 🙂
31 Jul 09
Originally posted by atticus2There's a guy in our local league (an older chap) who moves at similar speed. It's very strange - I just don't understand how he can see everything so quickly.
I also found it very disconcerting, never having met JR before, to spend, say, twenty minutes over a move whereupon Jack would return to the board and move instantly!
Doesn't seem to be doing him any harm - he's much better than me. Jack Rudd's an IM of course so it doesn't seem to be hurting his chess either.
31 Jul 09
3 edits
Originally posted by JonathanB of LondonAlas it will though. It's one thing against the likes of me, out of practice and long past my best, but it doesn't hold up against GMs. Nothing Jack can do about it though. It's a fabulous achievement that he's an IM, but that's it, I'm afraid
Jack Rudd's an IM of course so it doesn't seem to be hurting his chess either
One other thing will limit him too, as his very poor start to these championships seems to indicate. It's extremely hard to be part of an event's organisation and play well in the event itself. I speak from experience here 🙄
31 Jul 09
Originally posted by atticus2Yes I take your point ... but still being an IM's not so bad for anybody.
... he's an IM, but that's it, I'm afraid ... It's extremely hard to be part of an event's organisation and play well in the event itself. I speak from experience here 🙄
As for organising - yes agreed here. Although wasn't Jack playing a similar roll last year when he did so well?
31 Jul 09
Originally posted by atticus2In 16th move it's impossible. So I guess you are talking about 18.Qd2 (instead of 18.Rc1). But I don't see anything decisive after 18...Bf6. White can take the f4 pawn after 19.Rac1 Qb6 20.b4 Nc4, but control over black squares (especially e5) should give good compensation for Black.
I think simply by playing Qd2
06 Aug 09
Originally posted by Tyrannosauruschexfinal round is tomorrow T-Chex.
http://www.britishchess09.com/live.htm
The final round is happening as we speak and, in a fitting ending, last years champion (Stuart Conquest) is playing this years leader (David howell) in quite a sharp game on board 1.
Great game though.
06 Aug 09
1 edit
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexWell it's always been 11 rounds before. Have the regulations changed?
I thought they only play tomorrow if there is not a clear leader today.
EDIT: apparently not. Tournament website says it's 11 rounds
http://www.britishchess09.com/events/british.htm
06 Aug 09
Hail, howl, and thrice hail Howell, the new British Champion with a round to spare!
He's just beaten Conquest in Rd 10 to go a full point clear on 8.5pts. Technically he can still be caught in the final round tomorrow. But since he's played everyone worth playing already, he won't lose.
He's a fabulous young player, a 2700 in the making. He's led from the front, undefeated by 7 GMs & 3 IMs so far. Jonathan B has argued elsewhere that this makes him an especially worthy champion. Others disagree, claiming all champions are equally worthy. That's true - up to a point. But Howell, unlike his nearest rivals, has been drawn against all the top seeds, yet emerged unbowed. I can't see any reason to dispute the claim that David Howell is an exceptional champion.
06 Aug 09
1 edit
Originally posted by atticus2Since there's not going to be a play-off = well I doubt there will be since Howell's playing in the Staunton Memorial in London on Saturday afternoon = even if Howell does lose tomorrow (which he won't as you say) he'll surely take the event on tie-break.
Hail, howl, and thrice hail Howell, the new British Champion with a round to spare!
He's just beaten Conquest in Rd 10 to go a full point clear on 8.5pts. Technically he can still be caught in the final round tomorrow. But since he's played everyone worth playing already, he won't lose.
He's a fabulous young player, a 2700 in the making. He's led fr I can't see any reason to dispute the claim that David Howell is an exceptional champion.
I have't done all the maths yet but I'm willing to be that Howell's had the toughest British championship of anyone for quite some time.
