Wednesday September 29th 12.00 CET
Jonas Buhl Bjerre – Etienne Bacrot
Gawain Jones – J Van Foreest
Vincent Keymer – Nils Grandelius
Nihal Sarin – Nigel Short
Round 5 report
Bjerre-Grandelius
Grandelius surprised most of us by choosing the Open Ruy Lopez. An early advantage for black was transformed into a win in a convincing way by the Swede.
Van Foreest-Bacrot
Bacrot managed to reach the middle game comfortably as black in the French defence, before becoming mysteriously passive. Van Foreest took full advantage and secured the win with forceful play.
Jones-Short
Very complicated play in the advance variation of the French defence. The initiative switched back and forth between the two Englishmen before the draw was finally agreed. A result we suspect Nigel Short might be the least happy about.
Keymer – Sarin
Nihal Sarin was well prepared as black in the Queen’s Indian. With a comfortable position he suddenly lost control at around move 53 and the game was beyond saving soon after. At this level of play there is no room for error!
Pairings round 6
Tuesday September 28th 14.00 CET
Nigel Short – Vincent Keymer
Nils Grandelius – Gawain Jones
J Van Foreest – Jonas Buhl Bjerre
Etienne Bacrot – Nihal Sarin
Round 4 report
Van Foreest is still in the lead, with legend Nigel Short now leading the chasing pack.
Short-Bjerre
The Grand Prix attack in the Sicilian. Short played aggressively but Bjerre gave as good as he got until 26…Rd8, which allowed white to put the king to safety with h2-h3. White gained an edge that Short steered towards the win in a rook ending.
Grandelius-Van Foreest
A long theory variation in the Catalan gave an equal rook ending and a draw.
Bacrot-Keymer
Black tried an unusual set up in the Reti with h6-g5. Just after 20 moves a draw was agreed through repetition of moves.
Sarin-Jones
In a balanced position in the Spanish opening, Jones surprisingly sacrificed a pawn. The compensation was never enough and Sarin played very well in a long endgame to claim the full point.