
The London Super Sixteen rapid tournament has started. The main event of the London Chess Classic takes place from December 11th to December 15th at the Olympiad Conference Center in London, England. The tournament brings together many of the best players of the World as well as two qualifiers from the Open section of the London Chess Classic.
Players were divided into four groups initially, to play a double round robin between them and determine two qualifiers to the knock out stages.

Round 3
Round 03 – Group C: Thursday December 12th, 14:00 |
Gawain Jones |
2633 |
0-1
|
Judit Polgar |
2696 |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2772 |
½-½
|
Boris Gelfand |
2764 |
Round 03 – Group D: Thursday December 12th, 14:00 |
Fabiano Caruana |
2779 |
½-½
|
David Howell |
2644 |
Emil Sutovsky |
2663 |
0-1
|
Nigel Short |
2684 |
Round 03 – Group A: Thursday December 12th, 15:30 |
Andrei Istratescu |
2709 |
0-1
|
Vishy Anand |
2775 |
Michael Adams |
2761 |
|
Luke McShane |
2697 |
Round 03 – Group B: Thursday December 12th, 15:30 |
Jonathan Rowson |
2573 |
0-1
|
Peter Svidler |
2746 |
Matthew Sadler |
2646 |
|
Vladimir Kramnik |
2794 |
Nakamura played the Larsen (1.b3) against Gelfand following the logic of Lawrence Trent from yesterday's commentary: it's a better move than 1.b4. The game became somewhat wild after Nakamura sacrificed some material but when the dust settled an equal endgame was reached. Jones obtained a seemingly winning position against Polgar but through mistakes he managed to lose.

A little chit-chat before the game didn't help Jones convert his advantages
Howell missed a golden opportunity to beat Caruana with black as he was simply two pawns up. He made it too hard on himself and ended up drawing. Short outplayed Sutovsky through most of the game in a Spanish and ultimately a blunder by the Israeli cost him the game in a situation that was already bad.
Anand demolished Istratescu with good tactics and sound positional play, while Adams uncorked a beautiful tactic with 14.Nd5! and was probably winning at some point, but his follow-up was not the best, he let go of his advatange and McShane crawled his way back into a draw.
Sadler made an easy draw with Kramnik by not risking too much while Rowson faced a powerful exchange sacrifice by Svidler. Black quickly got a winning position and never let go of the throttle.
Interestingly all groups in round three ended with a black win and a draw!

The audience!
Round 4
Round 04 – Group C: Thursday December 12th, 18:00 |
Judit Polgar |
2696 |
½-½ |
Boris Gelfand |
2764 |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2772 |
1-0
|
Gawain Jones |
2633 |
Round 04 – Group D: Thursday December 12th, 18:00 |
David Howell |
2644 |
0-1
|
Nigel Short |
2684 |
Emil Sutovsky |
2663 |
0-1
|
Fabiano Caruana |
2779 |
Round 04 – Group A: Thursday December 12th, 19:30 |
Vishy Anand |
2775 |
1-0
|
Luke McShane |
2697 |
Michael Adams |
2761 |
1-0
|
Andrei Istratescu |
2709 |
Round 04 – Group B: Thursday December 12th, 19:30 |
Peter Svidler |
2746 |
1-0
|
Vladimir Kramnik |
2794 |
Matthew Sadler |
2646 |
1-0
|
Jonathan Rowson |
2573 |
Polgar spoiled a slight edge against Gelfand and had to settle for a draw while Nakamura outplayed Jones from an equal endgame to share first with Gelfand in the group, and it seems unlikely they do not go through.
Howell played another good game, this time against Short, but his atrocious time management left him in a bad situation and Short fully exploited this, with some tactics he turned the game around and won a piece. Sutovsky lost his fourth game in a row and was simply demolished by Caruana.
Adams had the smallest of advantages for a long time against Istratescu, but a blunder by the French player on move 27 allowed Adams to win a pawn and subsequently convert the game. Istratescu, like Sutovsky, qualified from the Open and neither player has scored a single point in the rapids. Anand demolished McShane:

McShane felt the power of Anand's wrath
1.e4 | 1,185,008 | 54% | 2421 | --- |
1.d4 | 959,510 | 55% | 2434 | --- |
1.Nf3 | 286,503 | 56% | 2441 | --- |
1.c4 | 184,834 | 56% | 2442 | --- |
1.g3 | 19,892 | 56% | 2427 | --- |
1.b3 | 14,600 | 54% | 2428 | --- |
1.f4 | 5,954 | 48% | 2377 | --- |
1.Nc3 | 3,911 | 50% | 2384 | --- |
1.b4 | 1,791 | 48% | 2379 | --- |
1.a3 | 1,250 | 54% | 2406 | --- |
1.e3 | 1,081 | 49% | 2409 | --- |
1.d3 | 969 | 50% | 2378 | --- |
1.g4 | 670 | 46% | 2361 | --- |
1.h4 | 466 | 54% | 2382 | --- |
1.c3 | 439 | 51% | 2425 | --- |
1.h3 | 289 | 56% | 2420 | --- |
1.a4 | 118 | 60% | 2461 | --- |
1.f3 | 100 | 47% | 2427 | --- |
1.Nh3 | 93 | 66% | 2506 | --- |
1.Na3 | 47 | 62% | 2476 | --- |
Please, wait...
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 Bg4 4.0-0 Nd7 5.d4 e6 6.Nbd2 Ngf6 7.Re1 Be7 8.e4 0-0 9.h3 Bh5 10.c3 Bg6 11.e5 Ne4 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Nh2 Bg6 14.h4 h6 15.Bf1 c5 16.Bd3 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 cxd4 18.cxd4 Qa5 19.Be3 Rfc8 20.Qe2 Qa6 21.Qg4 Kh8 22.Qh5 Kg8 23.Bxh6! gxh6 24.Ng4! Bf8 25.Re3! 25.Nxh6+? Bxh6 26.Qxh6 Qd3-+ 25...Rc4 26.Rd1 Qb6? 26...Rc2 27.Rf3 Qe2 28.Qxf7+ Kh8 27.Rf3 Rxd4 28.Rxd4 Qxd4 29.Rxf7 Qd1+ 30.Kg2 Qxg4 31.Rxf8+ Rxf8 32.Qxg4+ Kf7 33.Qa4 Rd8 34.h5 Nf8 35.Qf4+ Ke8 36.Qxh6 d4 37.Kf1 Rd5 38.Qf6 1–0
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
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- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Anand,V | 2773 | McShane,L | 2684 | 1–0 | 2013 | A07 | 5th Classic GpA 2013 | 4.1 |
Please, wait...

Sadler still has realistic chances to advance if he pulls of a big upset tomorrow
Svidler took revenge on Kramnik for his round one loss, and this time he against found himself with two pieces against a rook. In this case however the Russian Champion annihilated his opponent with the two bishops. Sadler also reversed the result from round one and took out Rowson.

Svidler took out Kramnik, he now shares first with the other Russian in group b
Highlights of Day 2 by Daniel King
Standings
Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D


1.e4 | 1,185,008 | 54% | 2421 | --- |
1.d4 | 959,510 | 55% | 2434 | --- |
1.Nf3 | 286,503 | 56% | 2441 | --- |
1.c4 | 184,834 | 56% | 2442 | --- |
1.g3 | 19,892 | 56% | 2427 | --- |
1.b3 | 14,600 | 54% | 2428 | --- |
1.f4 | 5,954 | 48% | 2377 | --- |
1.Nc3 | 3,911 | 50% | 2384 | --- |
1.b4 | 1,791 | 48% | 2379 | --- |
1.a3 | 1,250 | 54% | 2406 | --- |
1.e3 | 1,081 | 49% | 2409 | --- |
1.d3 | 969 | 50% | 2378 | --- |
1.g4 | 670 | 46% | 2361 | --- |
1.h4 | 466 | 54% | 2382 | --- |
1.c3 | 439 | 51% | 2425 | --- |
1.h3 | 289 | 56% | 2420 | --- |
1.a4 | 118 | 60% | 2461 | --- |
1.f3 | 100 | 47% | 2427 | --- |
1.Nh3 | 93 | 66% | 2506 | --- |
1.Na3 | 47 | 62% | 2476 | --- |
Please, wait...
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d6 8.Bg5 Qe7 9.0-0 h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3 Ng4 12.h3 Ne5 13.Be2 Ba5 14.Nd5 Qd8 15.Bxe5 dxe5 16.Ne3 Bb6 17.Qe1 h5 18.Nc4 g4 19.Nxb6 axb6 20.Qc3 Qf6 21.h4 0-0 22.g3 Ra4 23.b4 c5 24.a3 Qe7 25.Rfb1 Bb7 26.Bd3 cxb4 27.axb4 Rfa8 28.Rxa4 Rxa4 29.Bb5 Ra8 30.Bc6 Bxc6 31.Qxc6 Rd8 32.Ra1 Kg7 33.c3 Rd6 34.Qb5 Rd2 35.Qc4 Qf6 36.Rf1 c6 37.Qa6 Qf3 38.Qxb6 Qxe4 39.b5 cxb5 40.Qxb5 Rc2 41.Qc5 Re2 42.Qe7 Qf5 43.Qc5 Qf6 44.Qc4 Rc2 45.Qd3 Qg6 46.Qe3 Qf5 47.Rc1 Rxc1+ 48.Qxc1 Kf6 49.c4 Ke7 50.c5 Kd7 51.Qd2+ Kc8 52.Qd5 Qf6 53.c6 Qe7 54.Qb5 Kc7 55.Qb7+ Kd6 56.Qb4+ Ke6 57.Qb7 Kd6 58.Qb4+ Ke6 59.Qb6 Qd6 60.Kh2 Kf6 61.Qb5 Qd4 62.Kg1 Qd1+ 63.Kh2 Qd4 64.Qe2 Qc5 65.Qd2 Kg7 66.Qg5+ Kf8 67.Qd8+ Kg7 68.Qg5+ Kf8 69.Qf6 Qc3 70.Qd8+ Kg7 71.c7 Qc5 72.Kg1 Qc1+ 73.Kg2 Qc6+ 74.Kf1 Qc4+ 75.Kg1 Qc1+ 76.Kh2 Qc5 77.Qg5+ Kf8 78.c8Q+ Qxc8 79.Qxe5 Qc2 80.Kg1 Qc1+ 81.Kh2 Qc2 82.Kg1 ½–½
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Adams,M | 2754 | McShane,L | 2684 | ½–½ | 2013 | C47 | 5th Classic GpA 2013 | 3.1 |
Istratescu,A | 2670 | Anand,V | 2773 | 0–1 | 2013 | B22 | 5th Classic GpA 2013 | 3.2 |
Anand,V | 2773 | McShane,L | 2684 | 1–0 | 2013 | A07 | 5th Classic GpA 2013 | 4.1 |
Adams,M | 2754 | Istratescu,A | 2670 | 1–0 | 2013 | C07 | 5th Classic GpA 2013 | 4.2 |
Sadler,M | 2646 | Kramnik,V | 2793 | ½–½ | 2013 | E54 | 5th Classic GpB 2013 | 3.1 |
Rowson,J | 2569 | Svidler,P | 2758 | 0–1 | 2013 | B40 | 5th Classic GpB 2013 | 3.2 |
Svidler,P | 2758 | Kramnik,V | 2793 | 1–0 | 2013 | A00 | 5th Classic GpB 2013 | 4.1 |
Sadler,M | 2646 | Rowson,J | 2569 | 1–0 | 2013 | E42 | 5th Classic GpB 2013 | 4.2 |
Nakamura,H | 2786 | Gelfand,B | 2777 | ½–½ | 2013 | A01 | 5th Classic GpC 2013 | 3.1 |
Jones,G | 2654 | Polgar,J | 2693 | 0–1 | 2013 | B30 | 5th Classic GpC 2013 | 3.2 |
Polgar,J | 2693 | Gelfand,B | 2777 | ½–½ | 2013 | B30 | 5th Classic GpC 2013 | 4.1 |
Nakamura,H | 2786 | Jones,G | 2654 | 1–0 | 2013 | A01 | 5th Classic GpC 2013 | 4.2 |
Caruana,F | 2782 | Howell,D | 2640 | ½–½ | 2013 | A07 | 5th Classic GpD 2013 | 3.1 |
Sutovsky,E | 2657 | Short,N | 2683 | 0–1 | 2013 | C72 | 5th Classic GpD 2013 | 3.2 |
Howell,D | 2640 | Short,N | 2683 | 0–1 | 2013 | C45 | 5th Classic GpD 2013 | 4.1 |
Sutovsky,E | 2657 | Caruana,F | 2782 | 0–1 | 2013 | C07 | 5th Classic GpD 2013 | 4.2 |
Please, wait...
Schedule
Round 01 – Group A: Wednesday December 11th, 14:00 |
Luke McShane |
2697 |
0-1
|
Vishy Anand |
2775 |
Andrei Istratescu |
2709 |
0-1
|
Michael Adams |
2761 |
Round 01 – Group B: Wednesday December 11th, 14:00 |
Vladimir Kramnik |
2794 |
1-0
|
Peter Svidler |
2746 |
Jonathan Rowson |
2573 |
1-0
|
Matthew Sadler |
2646 |
Round 01 – Group C: Wednesday December 11th, 15:30 |
Boris Gelfand |
2764 |
1-0
|
Judit Polgar |
2696 |
Gawain Jones |
2633 |
½-½
|
Hikaru Nakamura |
2772 |
Round 01 – Group D: Wednesday December 11th, 15:30 |
Nigel Short |
2684 |
½-½
|
David Howell |
2644 |
Fabiano Caruana |
2779 |
1-0
|
Emil Sutovsky |
2663 |
Round 02 – Group A: Wednesday December 11th, 18:00 |
Vishy Anand |
2775 |
½-½
|
Michael Adams |
2761 |
Luke McShane |
2697 |
1-0
|
Andrei Istratescu |
2709 |
Round 02 – Group B: Wednesday December 11th, 18:00 |
Peter Svidler |
2746 |
½-½
|
Matthew Sadler |
2646 |
Vladimir Kramnik |
2794 |
1-0
|
Jonathan Rowson |
2573 |
Round 02 – Group C: Wednesday December 11th, 19:30 |
Judit Polgar |
2696 |
0-1
|
Hikaru Nakamura |
2772 |
Boris Gelfand |
2764 |
1-0
|
Gawain Jones |
2633 |
Round 02 – Group D: Wednesday December 11th, 19:30 |
David Howell |
2644 |
1-0
|
Emil Sutovsky |
2663 |
Nigel Short |
2684 |
0-1
|
Fabiano Caruana |
2779 |
Round 03 – Group C: Thursday December 12th, 14:00 |
Gawain Jones |
2633 |
0-1
|
Judit Polgar |
2696 |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2772 |
½-½
|
Boris Gelfand |
2764 |
Round 03 – Group D: Thursday December 12th, 14:00 |
Fabiano Caruana |
2779 |
½-½
|
David Howell |
2644 |
Emil Sutovsky |
2663 |
0-1
|
Nigel Short |
2684 |
Round 03 – Group A: Thursday December 12th, 15:30 |
Andrei Istratescu |
2709 |
0-1
|
Vishy Anand |
2775 |
Michael Adams |
2761 |
|
Luke McShane |
2697 |
Round 03 – Group B: Thursday December 12th, 15:30 |
Jonathan Rowson |
2573 |
0-1
|
Peter Svidler |
2746 |
Matthew Sadler |
2646 |
|
Vladimir Kramnik |
2794 |
Round 04 – Group C: Thursday December 12th, 18:00 |
Judit Polgar |
2696 |
½-½ |
Boris Gelfand |
2764 |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2772 |
1-0
|
Gawain Jones |
2633 |
Round 04 – Group D: Thursday December 12th, 18:00 |
David Howell |
2644 |
0-1
|
Nigel Short |
2684 |
Emil Sutovsky |
2663 |
0-1
|
Fabiano Caruana |
2779 |
Round 04 – Group A: Thursday December 12th, 19:30 |
Vishy Anand |
2775 |
1-0
|
Luke McShane |
2697 |
Michael Adams |
2761 |
1-0
|
Andrei Istratescu |
2709 |
Round 04 – Group B: Thursday December 12th, 19:30 |
Peter Svidler |
2746 |
1-0
|
Vladimir Kramnik |
2794 |
Matthew Sadler |
2646 |
1-0
|
Jonathan Rowson |
2573 |
Round 05 – Group A: Friday December 13th, 14:00 |
Luke McShane |
2697 |
|
Michael Adams |
2761 |
Vishy Anand |
2775 |
|
Andrei Istratescu |
2709 |
Round 05 – Group B: Friday December 13th, 14:00 |
Vladimir Kramnik |
2794 |
|
Matthew Sadler |
2646 |
Peter Svidler |
2746 |
|
Jonathan Rowson |
2573 |
Round 05 – Group C: Friday December 13th, 15:30 |
Boris Gelfand |
2764 |
|
Hikaru Nakamura |
2772 |
Judit Polgar |
2696 |
|
Gawain Jones |
2633 |
Round 05 – Group D: Friday December 13th, 15:30 |
Nigel Short |
2684 |
|
Emil Sutovsky |
2663 |
David Howell |
2644 |
|
Fabiano Caruana |
2779 |
Round 06 – Group A: Friday December 13th, 18:00 |
Michael Adams |
2761 |
|
Vishy Anand |
2775 |
Andrei Istratescu |
2709 |
|
Luke McShane |
2697 |
Round 06 – Group B: Friday December 13th, 18:00 |
Matthew Sadler |
2646 |
|
Peter Svidler |
2746 |
Jonathan Rowson |
2573 |
|
Vladimir Kramnik |
2794 |
Round 06 – Group C: Friday December 13th, 19:30 |
Hikaru Nakamura |
2772 |
|
Judit Polgar |
2696 |
Gawain Jones |
2633 |
|
Boris Gelfand |
2764 |
Round 06 – Group D: Friday December 13th, 19:30 |
Emil Sutovsky |
2663 |
|
David Howell |
2644 |
Fabiano Caruana |
2779 |
|
Nigel Short |
2684 |
Photographs by Ray Morris-Hill