London Chess Classic – simul at Simpson's

The Chess Classic and a Simpsons Simul

By Allan Beardsworth

My wife and I have a house in one of the prettiest valleys of the Lake District, one of the most beautiful parts of England. The mantra for visitors to that region, as for tourists everywhere, is “take only photos, leave only memories”. And now, a week after the equally splendid London Chess Classic, all I am left with is memories of my visit to the event. So this brief article is simply one keen amateur’s perspectives.

Malcolm Pein receiving the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Community Sport and
Recreation Award from the Alliance’s President HRH Prince Edward Earl of Wessex

First of all the chess world, and the English chess community in particular, owe a massive vote of thanks to Malcolm Pein for the vision he had in setting this tournament up; and Malcolm’s tireless energy in running such a mammoth event. I hope that he finds time over the seasonal break to relax and celebrate what he has achieved. To these thanks, should also be added thanks to the sponsors and the team of officials without whom such events simply cannot happen.

Secondly, the elite players: to be in the packed commentary room, listening for every nugget of insight; to hear the rapidity of explanations of lines seen. Vishy’s explanation of the final stages of his game versus Magnus, was a particular treat; and I would also highlight Vlad who seems to make chess simple. As a parent myself (though, alas, none of my children have any interest in chess) it is really nice to see all the players willingly pose for photos with their young fans; the ability to meet our heroes is key to perpetuating our game.

Thirdly, and here I am lucky in being invited to the VIP room, as a donor to English chess. The surprising, disappointing, revealing change this year was that the GM commentators now routinely refer to chess engines – what does Hiarcs say? Houdini? Stockfish? In all previous years, reference to engines has been verboten, but now, the game is up. Nakamura-Anand was the finest example of that; to me, it just shows that chess between two people, even two elite players, is a different game, and not the worst for it, than the analysis of engines.

Vladimir Kramnik and Nigel Short analysing in the VIP room

John Nunn showing Judit Polgar his latest software development for the iPad

Blitz in the VIP room: IMs Ali Mortasavi and Lawrence Trent are at it again...

... as are chess amateurs Alaa Gamal, former member of the Egyptian women's team,
and Mihaly Szalontay, Managing Partner of Buran Venture Capital in Moscow

Veterans: Michael Stean and David Levy discussing, while Aronian listens skeptically

I could add more comments, but for brevity will end with a game played at the Closing Dinner at Simpson’s in the Strand. The Classic players, during main course and dessert (and this is key, after champagne, wine and port...) go round the tables, making a move at each; with the amateurs consulting. It is light and inconsequential, and I think Malcolm said that this year the score was 12-6 to the tables. But it was a fitting end to yet another tournament which shows one of the great things about chess, gens una sumus: the fun and friendship our games gives us all.

Dinner at Simpson's, with a tag simul given by the participants of the Classic

After dinner some players stay on for a few rounds of blitz

Levon Aronian playing GM David Norwood, with Magnus Carlsen looing on

The simul at the Simpsons

There are apparently six degrees of separation, and there are also Fischer or Kasparov or now Carlsen scores: I have beaten Nigel Short (alas, last time thirty something years ago, in the days we were at Bolton School together); he has beaten Garry, so my Kasparov score is Two. As of 10 December 2012, my Carlsen-score, Kramnik-score, Aronian-score, Nakamura-score, Adams-score, McShane-score, Jones-score and Pein-scores are each One, having beaten them all, together, at the London Classic closing dinner at Simpson's in the Strand. (Judit Polgar didn't play a move, and true to my accountant self, my Luke score is actually One, if Internet blitz is included). Or maybe, and probably more honestly, my score against the Classic players is actually fractional, since it was in collaboration with (retired) GM Michael Stean, Terry Chapman, Tony Stewart, Alex Greg and Andrew McQuillan on table 17.

The game will be one of my memories of another superlative Classic, for which so much is owed to Malcolm Pein, his team, and his sponsors. Nigel Short, commenting to the audience during the last round, recounted a witticism by IM Bill Hartston, that chess was a contributor to net human unhappiness, since the pleasure of victory is greatly exceeded by the pain of defeat. Yes, Nigel, I agree, having fallen for an outrageous cheapo against him in three minute blitz during the last round, our first game together since childhood, when for a good dozen moves or so the crowd were about to witness a GM kill. Nigel's Re2 mate will forever be etched on my mind.

However, my abiding memory of this tournament is in fact the throngs of school children who visited the Classic. The venue was heaving with the future of our game; ample reason why the UK charity, Chess in Schools and Communities, and similar ones in other countries are to be supported: for chess, with its victories and defeats, can give a lifetime of friendship, challenge and pleasure.

Links Official London Chess Classic tournament site All games in PGN All ChessBase reports on the LCC 2012 (+ 2011, 2010 and 2009) The games will be broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client and get immediate access. Or you can get our latest Fritz 13 program, which includes six months premium membership to Playchess.