London Classic continued.......

Yes, it was another brilliant event. Carl and I were there on Sunday - lots of people - you never know who you might meet! 

London Classic

Just thought I'd mention that I visited Olympia for this on Monday and it was great, for £15 it's a bargain.  Get to sit in an auditorium and watch some of the worlds best players then once your done trying to figure out what's going on in their games you can breeze along to the commentary room and listen to a several GMs trying to figure out what's going on!  When I was there, Vladimir Kramnik was sitting out and I had the chance to ask him a question from the audience about chess computers, he answered fully and eloquently. In fact I've had the chance to listen to 'Big Vlad' both times I've been to the Classic and on both occasions have been impressed by what he has to say and by his sense of humour, he seems like a really nice guy.

As I am at work in London today I may pop along if I finish early enough, though I expect it will be busier on a weekend.  If not I am considering going up on Monday for the last day.  If you can't make it, they've been having  a few problems with their internet connection but when accessible the coverage is great, you can see it by clicking the link on the London Classic web-site which goes to the livestream link.

Carlsen v Howell

Following on from the last post, this is the 'game of the day' from the first round of the London Chess Classic - the only game that didn't end in a draw. How many of us remember David Howell at our last venue, kneeling on the chair to reach the far side of the board and moving faster than the eye could see? Driving seasoned old hands to grumpy despair at congresses?



I might be tempted to go for a day - although Monday and Saturday are out.

London Classic 2011

Starts tomorrow (Sat 3rd), press conference in an hour followed by a game against Twitter followers, not sure how that's going to pan out! Anyway, this is an historic event with four of Englands strongest GMs taking part in a field containg (gulp) four 2800-rated players, thanks goodness Nakamura is there to dilute the talent ;-) He is 'only' currently rated 2758 !!
David Howell is studying at University and his chess seems to have been suffering, it's a shame Matthew Sadler can't sub in, but maybe that's harsh, I hope Howell proves me wrong.

The live event was brilliant the time I went in 2009 and the online coverage is great, possibly only bettered by the US Chess Championship in my opinion, but this year the London Classic has a different format with a nine players, one of whom sits out each round to join the commentary, so a new level of excellence  is to be expected.

I keep changing my mind, but at the moment I am planning to use an afternoon off on Monday to attend the event, and may well be attending next Saturday (10th) as I am in London for work anyway. I'm vaguely considering Sunday 11th and Monday 12th but I expect two days will be enough.  I should be at the BHCC playing a match tomorrow if anyone would like to discuss meeting up, or just e-mail or call me on the day if you have my details.