Here is an exciting miniature from last week’s victory over Ramsgate. As David pointed out in his match report, it is unusual for him to be the first to finish but Brian’s uncompromising approach meant that a quick win was always likely and the only question was who would be the winner.  It did not take long to find out…

White: David Faldon (175)            Black: Brian Westover (153)

Millar Cup: Broadstairs v Ramsgate

 

Hot off the press is this game played today (Sunday) between Magnus Carlsen and Lev Aronian.  As I write it has only just finished so I can’t add any comments (not that they would be worth anything) except to say that the last fifteen moves or so prompted so many comments from those watching or following online that no-one seemed to be able to forecast the result. I suspect that the chap who wrote at about move 35 that if Carlsen were to win “I will cut off my head and mail it to you!” is mightily relieved although it’s a shame the logic of this desperate promise is slightly faulty. Have a look at the game and be honest – would you have backed Black at move 30? White had many takers although one suspects that had Carlsen been playing with the Black pieces there may have been fewer.

White: Magnus Carlsen (2850)            Black: Lev Aronian (2781)

European Team Championship

The following game is a terrific example of David beating Goliath that happens all too infrequently but is terrific entertainment for the neutral when it does. Naturally, it is also hugely satisfying for the winner if not the loser but to his credit Ian was happy to analyse the game afterwards with Michael and other members of the club. Your correspondent, absent on this occasion, initially could not understand White’s 34th move and Black’s follow-up when the bishop on e1 was en prise. However, once the forced mate that both players had clearly seen but which had eluded this more casual observer then became apparent, it was hard to escape the conclusion that this was precisely why Michael had succeeded in doing something that others over many years had not.

White: Ian Hames (160)  Black: Michael Doyle (89) 

Goodall Cup 2015

Some of you may be wondering what has happened to the boy wonder that is Wei Yi since we last reported on his ‘immortal game’ (see Game of the Week July 4).  On the other hand, you might not but you are going to get an update nevertheless.  In May he won the Chinese Chess Championship ahead of his rival and current world number eight, Ding Liren, and last month he again edged out Ding in the FIDE World Cup quarter-finals before losing to Peter Svidler in the semis. Featured here is Game 5 of that quarter-final which ended in a draw but is worth playing through for the brilliance of White’s 12th move which, unfortunately for the neutral and for Wei, Ding saw through. Thanks to Mick Croft who spotted this one.

White: Wei Yi (2737)  Black: Ding Liren (2780) 

Fide World Cup 2015