London Chess Classic

 The London Chess Classic has returned, albeit in a much smaller form than in pre-covid years. It is now consists of a single 10 player RR, rather than the mix of GM event, Open swisses, monster rapids, and other events. 

The GM event is strong as usual, with 4 English GM's against 6 visiting players. There are a couple of interesting inclusions, including Gukesh, who is trying to qualify for the 2024 Candidates, and Hans Neimann, on a hot streak after winning in Zagreb last week.

At this stage 2 rounds have been played, with some interesting games on show. GM Michael Adams (current World Seniors Champion) won a very nice game in round 1, against his slightly higher rated opponent. If I had to take a lesson from the game, it would be the player who kept the better pawn structure, had the better result.

 

Adams,Michael (2670) - Tabatabaei,M. Amin (2694) [C50]
13th London Classic 2023 London ENG (1.4), 01.12.2023

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 h6 6. O-O O-O 7. h3 d6 8. Na4 Bb6 9. a3 Be6 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. c3 Qe8 12. b4 Ne7 13. Ra2 Kh8 14. Re1 g5 15. d4 Ng6 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Nxb6 cxb6 18. c4 Qc6 19. Rc2 Rad8 20. Qe2 Qa4 21. c5 Nh5 22. Rc3 Nhf4 23. Bxf4 Nxf4 24. Qe3 Rd1 25. cxb6 axb6 26. Kh2 Rxe1 27. Qxe1 Qd7 28. g3 Nh5 29. Nxe5 Qg7 30. Rf3 Rxf3 31. Nxf3 Nf6 32. Qe3 Qc7 33. Qd4 Kg7 34. Ne5 h5 35. Nf3 g4 36. hxg4 hxg4 37. e5 gxf3 38. exf6+ Kf7 39. Qg4 Kxf6 40. Qxf3+ Ke7 41. Qe4 Qb8 42. Qh4+ Kd7 43. Qd4+ Kc6 44. Qc4+ Kd6 45. Qf4+ e5 46. Qf6+ Kd5 47. Qxb6 1-0