Thursday, 29 December 2016

2016/17 Hastings International - Day 1

It is tough at the top. The first day of the 2016/17 Hastings International saw a number of upsets on the higher boards, with seeds 1 and 3 losing, and the third second seed being held to a draw. The acceleration of the pairings obviously resulted in tougher first round opponents than usual, but it was still a surprise to see the carnage unfold.
After that there were more 'normal' results, although a number of higher rated opponents conceded draws to lower rated opposition. and there was still the odd upset victory. Nonetheless there some of the higher rated opponents still handed out the chess lesson to their opponents including the following quick win by Danny Gormally.


Gormally,Daniel W - Teh,Eu Wen Aron [E54]
2016/17 Hastings Masters, 28.12.2016

Start positionPrevious MoveNext MoveEnd positionPlay movesStop playing
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e3 O-O 6. Bd3 c5 7. O-O cxd4 8. exd4 dxc4 9. Bxc4 b6 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Rc1 Be7 12. Re1 Nbd7 13. Ne5 h6 14. Bf4 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Nd5 16. Bxd5 Bxd5 17. Qg4 Bg5 18. Rcd1 Bxf4 19. Qxf4 Rc8 20. Ne4 Rc4 21. b3 Rc2 22. Nf6+ gxf6 23. Qxh6 fxe5 24. Rd3 1-0

If you wish to see the results, or follow the live games, then visit the tournament website at http://www.hastingschess.com/

4 comments:

whatteaux said...

"...with seeds 1 and 3 losing, and the third seed being held to a draw..."

So player 3 played two games, losing one and drawing the other apparently? Good trick, that.

Shaun Press said...

Thanks for spotting that! Now updated

Nigel Freeman said...

Good result by Harry getting a draw with black against John Sugden, who I am sure played Varsity Chess and Glorney Cups in the same teams as Bill Hartston and Ray Keene and must have been at least a 2350 player at his peak.

Shaun Press said...

Yes, I'm pretty sure I've seen his name in older English chess books, and even more recent chess magazines. Harry also drew again today, this time with Alan Byron, so he is on 1/2 against a 2100 ish field.