LCC goes to the wire in round 9

 

10 Dec 2012, Kuala Lumpur – London Chess Classic 2012 goes into the final round 9 with a possibility that there might be a tie for the top spot should circumstances present itself.

The Week In Chess reported that Vladimir Kramnik beat Gawain Jones to keep alive his chances of retaining his London Chess Classic title. Kramnik will need to beat Michael Adams with black and hope that Carlsen can do no better than draw with Anand as white in the final round. If they tie then there will be a single game Armageddon blitz playoff.

If Magnus Carlsen draws in the round 9 and Kramnik wins, then there will be a tie in total points scored. If that happens, then please visit the tournament rules to see what will happen next, click here.

Round 9 pairings:

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(Photo by Ray Morris-Hill)

Carlsen Way Ahead, London Chess Classic 2012

9 Dec 2012, Kuala Lumpur – The seventh round of the London Chess Classic 2012 resulted in all drawn games with Kramnik given a rest. Rankings after round 7 show Carlsen leading with 17 points with 5+ points ahead of Kramnik at 12 points.

The Week In Chess reported that current leader Magnus Carlsen drew a Sicilian (a surprise) with black against Hikaru Nakamura (3.c3 a surprise prepared for Topalov in London earlier in the year). Carlsen sacrificed a piece for two pawns which may have given Carlsen the better chances but quite quickly he was playing just to draw. Carlsen now definitely will exceed Kasparov's 2851 rating record. Kasparov tweeted his congratulations to Carlsen on overtaking his 13 year record.

Pairings of Rounds 8-9:

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Carlsen, Kramnik, Anand, Nakamura won 5th round, LCC2012

7 Dec 2012, Kuala Lumpur – In London, the London Chess Classic 2012 has entered its 6th round tonight. Last night, 6th December 2012, the fifth round was played and four decisive games emerged. Carlsen, Kramnik, Anand and Nakamura all won their respective games. Aronian had a bye round in the fifth.

 

Watch Nakamura’s 5th round game against Judit Polgar. Nakamura had Judit in a mating net by move 47. The Week in Chess reported that Hikaru Nakamura surprised Judit Polgar with his opening choice, got an initiative and finally found a mating net.

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Official website: http://www.londonchessclassic.com

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(Picture by Ray Morris-Hill)

Magnus Clear Leader, LCC 2012

6 Dec 2012, Kuala Lumpur – The Week In Chess reported that Magnus Carlsen opened a clear lead after four rounds of the 4th London Chess Class as it goes into the rest day. Carlsen defeated Gawain Jones in a 4.Qxd4 Sicilian where Jones played a creative queen sacrifice for two pieces. The sacrifice might have been sufficient to draw but Jones gradually went wrong and lost.

Michael Adams faced a very unusual sideline of the Queen's Gambit from Hikaru Nakamura. Adams did have slightly the worse of it for a while but held the draw reasonably comfortably. Viswanathan Anand took on Vladimir Kramnik's Berlin Defence and was in danger of being worse at one stage but the blocked nature of the position allowed a draw. Luke McShane was again the last to finish and he ended up losing to Levon Aronian in a grim struggle. McShane blundered and had to give up his queen for what eventually turned out to be Rook, Knight and 3 pawns.

The 5 December 2012 was a rest day at the London Chess Classic. Round 6 is being played tonight as blog post gets published.

Links:

Official website: http://www.londonchessclassic.com

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(Picture by Ray Morris-Hill)

Kramnik, Carlsen won in round 2, LCC 2012

3 Dec 2012, Kuala Lumpur – Last night two decisive games with Kramnik and Carlsen winning their respective games of round 2 London Chess Classic 2012. Vishy Anand, the reigning World Champion, drew against McShane and Judit Polgar drew with Gawain Jones.

Here is the round 2 game between Magnus Carlsen of Norway and Levon Aronian in a Ruy Lopez opening. Carlsen won with the white pieces.

 

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White played 59. Rf8+, black resigned.

 

Official website:http://www.londonchessclassic.com/

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London Chess Classic 2012 gets underway

Pix 1. Luke McShane vs Magnus Carlsen, Round 1, London Chess Classic 2012 (Photo by Ray Morris-Hill)

2 Dec 2012, Kuala Lumpur – The London Chess Classic 2012 got underway last night, 1 Dec 2012 in London. Eight players are playing in the Classic section. The first round registered four decisive wins for Magnus, Hikaru, Nakamura and Adams. Vishy Anand had a first round bye. For the first time we have a lady player participating in the London Chess Classic, none other than Judit Polgar of Hungary.

The Week In Chess reported that the 4th London Chess Classic started with a bang with all four games finishing decisively. Vladimir Kramnik has a tremendous record against Judit Polgar with white and he won yet again after Polgar sacrificed a piece for tactical play which seemed to be at best only just sufficient. Kramnik whilst being polite seemed to suggest that he didn't believe that the sacrifice was sound. It did take good accuracy to defuse but in the end it was Polgar who blundered. Magnus Carlsen came closer to breaking Garry Kasparov's 1999 elo peak after defeating Luke McShane with black in the first round.

Here is the round 1 win for Magnus Carlsen of Norway, playing black against the British player, Luke McShane.

 

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Black played 62…g2, white resigned.

Overall Table Standings (after round 1):

Official website:http://www.londonchessclassic.com/

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