Semis - Classical game #1

Each knockout match combines all three time controls. The players contest two classical games, two rapid games and four blitz games, with every scheduled game played even if the overall match has already been decided.

Mastering Chess Strategy Vol.1-3

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Become a master of chess strategy – get Robert Ris’s complete bundle now at a special price!

The following time controls will be used for all matches:

• Classical: 90 minutes for 40 moves and 30 minutes for the rest of the game with a 30-second increment from move 1.
• Rapid: Game in 25 minutes, with a 10-second increment from move 1.
• Blitz: Game in 5 minutes, with a 2-second increment from move 1.

Points will be allocated to each game within the respective matches as follows:

• Classical: 6 points for a win, 3 points for a draw and 0 points for a loss
• *Blitz bonus match: 2 points for a win, 0 points for a draw and 0 points for a loss
• Rapid: 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and 0 points for a loss
• Blitz: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss

(*) Only played if both classical games end drawn

• Blitz bonus match: If both classical games in a match are drawn, a blitz match will be played, commencing no later than 15 minutes after the completion of the second classical game in that match. The players will contest blitz games with alternating colours until one player wins a game, at which time the bonus match will end.

Each match will therefore be scored out of a total of 28 possible points, or 30 possible points if a Blitz Bonus Match was required, with a total of at least 15 points (or 16 points if a Blitz Bonus Match took place) being required to win each match.

Live games and commentary

The top-tier Trompowsky

The Trompowsky is especially suited for faster time controls as you don‘t have to memorise endless lines of theory, and you push your opponent out of their comfort zone after your second move.
Nowadays, the list of requirements for an opening repertoire is long: being sound and sustainable; not requiring much memorisation; offering great attacking chances; making your opponent think early on etc… The time of finding a minimal advantage from the opening has passed, and we are better off with a more practical approach - simply understanding the position better than our opponent does. The Repertoire for White 1.d4 ... 2.Bg5! from IM Robert Ris answers all these requirements!
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 e6 3.e4 Be7/d5/c5

Commentary provided by Yasser Seirawan, Maurice Ashley and Nazi Paikidze

Schedule

The semifinals begin on Saturday 22 August with the first classical games, followed by the second classical encounters on Sunday. The rapid and blitz portions will be played on Monday 24 August. The championship match and third-place match will follow the same three-day structure from Tuesday to Thursday, with classical games on 25 and 26 August and the rapid and blitz games on 27 August. Play begins at 12.00 local time (19.00 CEST).

• Semifinals: 22-24 August
• Final and match for third place: 25-27 August

A Complete Guide for Black against the Anti-Sicilian

Have you always wanted to play the Sicilian as Black, but been discouraged by the abundance of options for White? Here is the solution to becoming a lifelong successful Sicilian player!

Links

• Grand Chess Tour
• Saint Louis Chess Club
• World Chess Hall of Fame