28 April 2013

British Championships 2010

http://www.livestream.com/leylandchess      Live Commentary from Andrew Martin

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Photos

Round 9 Update ( Wednesday ) -  Jack comes unstuck against Richard Bates as he suffers a loss and remains on 50% with 4.5/9.  Chris Dorrington picks up a comfortable draw against David Haydon

Round 8 Update ( Tuesday )  -  Jack Rudd takes no time at all in notching up another win as he disposes of Peter Shaw in an open game where both players neglected castling.  Chris Dorrington seemed to be doing fine against David Spence until he unnecessarily gave the exchange back on move 23 and lost out in a Bishop v Knight with pawns ending.   James Jackson digs in for a draw in an advanced french against Paul Cumbers.   Paul Helbig escapes with a draw against Martyn Goodger.

Round 7 Update ( Monday )  -  Chris Dorrington hung on for all he was worth after losing a pawn in the run up to the time control against Jonathan Hawkins - After the dust settled it became clear that Chris could block the advance of his opponents pawns with his knight as an exchange of knight for Bishop would lead to opposite coloured bishops and a drawn ending.  Jack Rudd had to settle for a draw against James Jackson in a mainline Sicilian Sveshnikov as they both remain on 50% score on 3.5/7

Round 6 Update ( Saturday )  -   Jack Rudd played Black against Jonathan Hawkins - Playing the dragon variation with an early a6 & b5 and attacking the centre - an exchange of pawns left Jack vulnerable on the queenside as Hawkin's advanced two connected pawns and as more pieces were exchanged it became more difficult to hold the position and Jack lost.  Down on board 16 James Jackson had white against his friend and University club mate Chris Dorrington - I was expecting a friendly draw between the two but Chris must have had other ideas and now heads the field of players from the west country with a more than respectable 4/6 and a meeting with an IM / GM on monday!

Round 5 Update ( Friday )  -      Jack Rudd came unstuck against Jovanka Houska in a sharp position in the Caro-Kann advanced where Jack took his chances in a piece sac Bxd5 which led to interesting complications which Jovanka handled well.  James Jackson came ever so close to winning in his game against GM Aaron Summerscale and at one point had a won Rook and pawn ending but let it slip and had to settle for a Draw.  Chris Dorrington had to work hard for a Draw in his game as his young opponent played well and had the better of things for long periods.

Jack Rudd,  James Jackson, Chris Dorrington, Chris baker are all on 3/5,   Paul Helbig  2/5,  Andrew Mayhew 1/5

Round 4 Update ( Thurs )  -      GM Mickey Adams v IM Jack Rudd Top Board Round 4

   Jack responds to Mickey's e4 opening by a pirc and then transposing into the  provocative hippopotamus !  Double fianchetto & Knights on e7, d7 - How will Mickey respond ? Well the game only lasted 23 moves as jack found himself in a hopeless position unable to break free from the shackles. This leaves Mickey Adams out in front on his own and clear favourite on  4/4

Good wins for Chris Dorrington & James Jackson leave both players nicely placed on 2.5/4

Round 3 Update ( Wed )   Board 2 -  Jack Rudd v Simon Williams 

Jack Rudd makes it 3/3 after a sacrificial kings Indian attack from Simon Williams fails to deliver compensation for the piece.  There was always going to be fireworks in this game as both players styles don't lead to quiet, dull games!  The game will feature as the "game of the Day" with analysis from Andrew martin.  Jack now joins Michael Adams as the only two players out in front on maximum points.  Can Jack rattle Michael Adams's cage tomorrow ?   Chris Dorrington ( above ) seemed to be holding Peter wells at bay but neglected castling and later paid the price.

Round 2 Update ( Tue ) - Jack wins again to go 2/2 -   Jack Rudd showed his attacking ability against Andrew Greet - ( Currently the Scottish Champion ) - He opened up the kingside with devastating effect ( game lasted 25 moves & finished not long after 4 PM this time ! )  -  Jack now has 2/2 and is paired against GM Simon Williams tomorrow.  Chris Dorrington & James Jackson are well placed on 1½/2 after both achieved wins today but have tough 3rd round matches tomorrow against GM Peter Wells & GM Keith Arkell who is stuck on half a point !

Round 1 Update ( Mon ) -  Jack drawn against a formidable opponent  GM Keith Arkell

Jack Rudd manages to beat GM Keith Arkell with the black pieces ( I've just been over the game and Keith unfortunately troubled by a king side storm on his king position happened to leave his Queen en pris and had to resign on the spot ) - Jack is up to his tricks again trying to break the record for the quickest win against a Grandmaster Game started at 2.15 PM and all over by 3.28 PM !!.  In the words of Alex McFarlane ( ECF Arbiter ) on the ECF forum - (  Alex McFarlane wrote:  JACK BEAT KEITH!!! )

Chris Dorrington settles for a draw by repetition against GM Stephen Gordon after having the better of play against Gordon's Nimzo Indian.  These are good starts for two of our strongest players against extremely strong opposition.