Round 2 (Monday October 29th)

Games

I mentioned in the 1st round report that we were to play Norway in round 2, and we knew their team well in advance as they only have a squad of 4.

Wales (38) - Norway (27)
1. Richard Jones FM 2327 (B) 0 - 1 M. Carlsen GM 2714
2. Tim Kett 2257 0 - 1 K. Lie GM 2563
3. Charles Morris 2198 0 - 1 E. Lie IM 2421
4. Alan Spice 2170 0 - 1 J. Hammer IM 2402

The time limit which I failed to mention with the previous reports is 40 moves in 90 minutes, 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30 second increment from move 1.

Games in the order they finished (without having analysed them)

Tim spent some time preparing for his opponent's favourite line during the morning, but late in the proceedings decided it was little bit too unclear if his opponent knew it well, and switched to something else. Tim played a Sicilian Grand Prix Attack with Bb5, the first 6 moves in no time at all, then took about an hour over the next 6. He was soon a pawn down, and by move 20 only had 8 minutes (plus increments) to reach move 40, and his opponent dealt effectively with any tricks.

Alan's 1.Nc3 transposed into a Vienna Game and Alan achieved a steady position with opposite side castling. Alan then conceded the 2 bishops for the temporary win of a pawn, but Black's chances always looked more threatening, and with White having limited space in which to move as well, Black inevitably broke through to win.

Richard played the Najdorf against Magnus and actually played a new move himself on move 19 (!). White always had a slight pull in a four piece ending with only 3 pawns on the kingside each, and Richard made White work very hard for the win which may not have been converted by anyone less than a very strong GM.

Charles' preparation was spot on in a Reti, London System and White did not achieve anything at all out of the opening. Charles manoeuvred well and may have got a little edge, but in trying to increase this in active fashion, overlooked an intermezzo which lost a piece. Charles played on as he had a pawn for it, some pressure, and White's h pawns were doubled, but the result was never really in doubt, it finally being achieved in B + N versus B ending (with 4 pawns each).

Cyprus (original 40th seed) had the bye today, so unfortunately we are now the only team on 0 match points and 0 game points, all other teams including Monaco who were the original 39th seed, have at least a half game point. Despite this statistic, the team have all given their best against very strong opposition, and the real test will come when we start playing other teams seeded in the bottom 5, where we would hope to notch up some match points.,

On the basis that Monaco will have the bye in round 3 tomorrow, it could again be another very tough draw for us.

Stuart Hutchings
Captain, Wales