English Chess Forum

Mike Truran wrote:Big missed opportunity for Mike Surtees.

John Cox v Keith Arkell tomorrow is another of those flashback ones for those of us of, er, appropriate vintage to have played the 70s junior circuit. If Keith's still around, can he remember when he and John first played each other? I never played Keith in the 70s, but I remember playing John C in a tournament in Marlow in 1976.

Keith Arkell wins an excellently played rook and pawn endgame. Mark Hebden still playing a very difficult one.

Going into final round Arkell and Gormally on 3.5, followed by 7 on 3 points. An exciting finish looming!

Some great games on the live boards in round 4 including a masterclass in defence by Jahongir on board one with R and 2P v 2 N and 2P.

Many thanks to all those who organized and ran the live boards so efficiently. Most enjoyable. Looking forward to round 5.

Will it be a ...Bf5 Nh4 Bc8 draw...

No. It wasn't.

Richard Bates wrote:Will it be a ...Bf5 Nh4 Bc8 draw...

Barry Sandercock wrote:No. It wasn't.

.....but still drawn in 10 moves!

We would all love to see every game fought to the bitter end, but it is perfectly understandable that they didn't want to risk going home empty-handed. We are delighted with the great sporting entertainment that the titled players and others have given us this weekend.

Let's see how many join them on 4 points ...

Gives everyone else something to play for.

The prizes are £1000 £300 £150, so it's essentially the same situation as King's Place 2015 where they were £1000 £500 £0. Luke McShane and Gawain Jones, who were then half a point clear with a round to go, also halved out rapidly. I mentioned that fact in my Guardian article on King's Place, and Adam Raoof now has a sponsor for King's Place 2016.

Looks like J.Vakhidov may join Arkell and Gormally ( Move 26) on 4/5.

Stephen Gordon wins to make it three on 4/5 so far. Hebden and Vakhidov still playing.

Vakhidov wins as well. Mark Hebden still playing with KRBP against KRB.

Hebden's game looks as though it will be a draw, so four players will be joint first.