London Chess Classic FIDE Open

[Roger de Coverly]

I think I have heard a rumour that the London Chess Classic run by CSC may be returning in a similar format to the ones in 2019 and earlier. That would be a large Open tourmament alongside a "Masters" of some format and shorter duration rating restricted events. Are there any other sightings or hints as to what, if anything, may be running in December?

[Brendan O'Gorman]

https://www.londonchessclassic.com/

[LawrenceCooper]

https://www.londonchessclassic.com/

Potentially an interesting dilemma for the two Tottenham supporters who played in last year's main event.

[Roger de Coverly]

Potentially an interesting dilemma for the two Tottenham supporters who played in last year's main event.

Looking at how I might get to the Emirates if I decided to enter, I see that Tue 3rd Dec is Arsenal v Man U. 19.45 kick off.

Presumably the chess will be in conference facilities, but could one anticipate transport difficulties that evening.

[Ian Thompson]

Looking at how I might get to the Emirates if I decided to enter, I see that Tue 3rd Dec is Arsenal v Man U. 19.45 kick off.

Presumably the chess will be in conference facilities, but could one anticipate transport difficulties that evening.

My guess is that the tournament schedule will change to make that a free day. It currently says "Round 7: Wednesday 4th December or Thursday 5th December (depending on Arsenal’s home fixtures - date will be confirmed by mid-October)" and neither day has a home fixture whereas, as you say, Tuesday 3rd December does.

[Paul Cooksey]

Arsenal vs Man Utd is of course the sort of fixture likely to be moved when TV sets its schedule.

Tremendously good news IMO. I didn't recognise https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Gerko . I suppose he has an interest in chess.

[LawrenceCooper]

Arsenal vs Man Utd is of course the sort of fixture likely to be moved when TV sets its schedule.

Allegedly being moved to Wednesday 4th.

[Joey Stewart]

Why should chess make way for football? It never stopped any other event from happening before

[Roger de Coverly]

Why should chess make way for football? It never stopped any other event from happening before

This year's South Lakes Congress was cancelled because of a clash in Barrow with the funeral of one of the "Hairy Bikers".

With league matches scheduled for both Wed 3rd and Thu 4th, I would only miss or have to rearange one of them if Wednesady or Thursday was the rest day.

I wonder what time the Saturday round will be. If there's going to be a double round day at all, it's the least worst for public transport, both avoiding weekday peak fares and lack of services first thing Sunday morning.

For the Emiratess, don't they do something special with public transport in the area when there's a major match? In any event, if the tournament is being played in the posh bit of the stands, the playing area may well not be available.

[Roger de Coverly]

Allegedly being moved to Wednesday 4th.

That's what it says on the Arsenal site.

https://www.google.com/search?client=fi ... +2024%2F25

I suppose we now await confirmation from CSC as to the chess timetable.

[Andrew Stone]

Entry details are now out. FIDE open costs £100, which seems quite reasonable for what it is. The Under 2000 looks a real bargain at £50 however. It is cheaper than the season ticket (£60), which gives the same access. Bit surprised there is not a slowplay weekender. There are rapidplays at a fast time limit during the weekend though. There are super blitz (3+2) qualifiers for the main invitational event, which might be difficult to play in if someone wants to play in the FIDE open. Suppose someone could always take a bye one round, and if they are strong enough to have norm chances (which presumably a bye would scupper), then may well have been invited anyway. The Super blitz takes place after the end of the FIDE open/Under 2000 tourneys, so participants can watch this, which is nice. Overall looks like an exciting event whoever is invited to the GM tournament.

[Joey Stewart]

Entry details are now out. FIDE open costs £100, which seems quite reasonable for what it is. The Under 2000 looks a real bargain at £50 however. It is cheaper than the season ticket (£60), which gives the same access. Bit surprised there is not a slowplay weekender. There are rapidplays at a fast time limit during the weekend though. There are super blitz (3+2) qualifiers for the main invitational event, which might be difficult to play in if someone wants to play in the FIDE open. Suppose someone could always take a bye one round, and if they are strong enough to have norm chances (which presumably a bye would scupper), then may well have been invited anyway. The Super blitz takes place after the end of the FIDE open/Under 2000 tourneys, so participants can watch this, which is nice. Overall looks like an exciting event whoever is invited to the GM tournament.

If it's £50 to play the tournament and £60 just to hang around watching then why wouldn't everyone that wants to visit just pay for the tournament and simply take byes in every round (or default the games if forced to compete)

[Andrew Stone]

Entry details are now out. FIDE open costs £100, which seems quite reasonable for what it is. The Under 2000 looks a real bargain at £50 however. It is cheaper than the season ticket (£60), which gives the same access. Bit surprised there is not a slowplay weekender. There are rapidplays at a fast time limit during the weekend though. There are super blitz (3+2) qualifiers for the main invitational event, which might be difficult to play in if someone wants to play in the FIDE open. Suppose someone could always take a bye one round, and if they are strong enough to have norm chances (which presumably a bye would scupper), then may well have been invited anyway. The Super blitz takes place after the end of the FIDE open/Under 2000 tourneys, so participants can watch this, which is nice. Overall looks like an exciting event whoever is invited to the GM tournament.

If it's £50 to play the tournament and £60 just to hang around watching then why wouldn't everyone that wants to visit just pay for the tournament and simply take byes in every round (or default the games if forced to compete)

Because some people are rated over 2000 and so are not elligible to enter the Under 2000 tournament. Is your next question going to be "Why don't they sandbag their rating down below 2000 then"? Another reason could be that you can only take two byes. Any more rounds missed and you are deemed to have withdrawn from the tournament. Additionally people may feel uneasy in exploiting a potential loophole to save themselves £10 from an organisation with charitable status.

[Graham Borrowdale]

Entry details are now out. FIDE open costs £100, which seems quite reasonable for what it is. The Under 2000 looks a real bargain at £50 however. It is cheaper than the season ticket (£60), which gives the same access. Bit surprised there is not a slowplay weekender. There are rapidplays at a fast time limit during the weekend though. There are super blitz (3+2) qualifiers for the main invitational event, which might be difficult to play in if someone wants to play in the FIDE open. Suppose someone could always take a bye one round, and if they are strong enough to have norm chances (which presumably a bye would scupper), then may well have been invited anyway. The Super blitz takes place after the end of the FIDE open/Under 2000 tourneys, so participants can watch this, which is nice. Overall looks like an exciting event whoever is invited to the GM tournament.

Thanks Andrew, the U-2000 does indeed look like good value, but there will be plenty of sharks in there! The FIDE Open seems to have been beefed up compared with other similar events, in that it has a rating floor, presumably to prevent a long tail and therefore make norms more likely to be achieved, as well as very generous prizes. The 4pm start on weekdays makes it attractive for those living in the London area, and indeed commuters.

[Roger de Coverly]

Thanks Andrew, the U-2000 does indeed look like good value, but there will be plenty of sharks in there! The FIDE Open seems to have been beefed up compared with other similar events, in that it has a rating floor, presumably to prevent a long tail and therefore make norms more likely to be achieved, as well as very generous prizes.

The organisers have finally bitten the bullet and accepted the need for parallel sections with the same move rate. Previously they just tried to discourage lower rated players from entering the nine round tournament by hiking entry fees and having a cut off for rating prizes. The Isle of Wight tourmaments early next year have made what I think is the dubious decision to use a faster move rate for the second section.