Wang Hao v M Adam’s - Draw

I was thinking that this game would be an exciting chess game, but alas no. After early exchanges the players decided they didn’t want to sit for hours, each trying to grind out a win.

Arakhamia-Grant v Shen Yang - Draw

Another game that never got going. Must be an unofficial rest day today.

J Rowson v Hou Yifan - Draw.

A lot of sparring by each player trying to gain some momentum, but it always remained equal and eventually ended in a repetition.

Zhang v N Short - Draw.

Short equalized easily with the black pieces, and throughout the game both players tried hard to gain some serious advantage, but nobody could achieve that important edge. This was a dogged battle where both players gave it their best, but a draw was a fair result, as both players played extremely accurately.

Hua v Pert. 1-0

I do sense that Pert deserves more points than his now measly ¼. He reached an equally material rook and pawn ending.

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But Hua has skillfully made his rook more active and also importantly advanced his king and kingside pawns. The Chinese have played some excellent endgames, and Hua continued the trend winning this ending.

G Jones v Wang Yue - Draw

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Jones missed a tactic to win in round 3 against Wang Hao, and now misses a tactic to win against the other Wang. Perhaps’ two Wangs don’t make a right!’ :-)

All Jones had to do was play 41 f6! Bxf6 42 Re1+ Be5 43 Rxe5+ dxe5 44 d6+ Kxd6 45 Rxe8 winning. But Jones played 41 h4 and Yue defended well to claim the draw.

Shame for Jones. He has been on the brink of winning 2 brilliant games, but alas has just fell short.

Howell v Xiangzhi 0-1

Just when you think things can’t get any worse for the UK team; they do. Master Howell was on his way to a draw when disaster happened.

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Howell just blundered badly, playing 60 Bf2?? And after 60…Rd2 white is lost. If the white bishop moves 61…g4 is mate – Ouch Or if 61 Kg2 Bc5.

This is too painful to watch. Missed wins, blunders. Not what the UK needed.

Houska v Ding. 0-1

I’m so depressed I wont show you Houska’s catalogue of mistakes.

The most depressing day of the match so far for the UK team. There have been some amazing efforts to match the Chinese, but we don’t seem to have the resources to beat the tenacious Chinese team. The UK camp must be so frustrated with all these ‘so near yet so far’ efforts. Ah well, The Chinese are a pretty good team

Yue-Howell after 50.Bxb6

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Yue-Howell after 54.Bc5

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Howell resigned after 57.Bd6

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M Adam’s v Hifan You 1-0

Adam’s took control of the open ‘a’ file, won black’s a pawn, then infiltrated into black’s position with his rooks. Nice technical win by Adam’s.

Shen Yang v J Houska - Draw.

Decided on a repetition and an early Sunday lunch.

Xiangzhi v Rowson – Draw

Also decided to have an early Sunday lunch.

N Pert v Wang Hao – Draw.

Semi-slav, always equal, neither player taking any risks.

Short v Hua - Draw

Short had a small edge, but never enough to trouble Hua.

Zhang v Jones – Draw

Jones equalized easily from the opening and cruised to an easy draw.

Wang Yue v D Howell – 1-0

These Chinese are really talented. Howell looked ok with R+PP for B+N, But yue just waits for his chance in a complicated position and then pounces. Nice technique again to win!

Ding v Arakhamia-Grant 1-0

Keti couldn’t retain her unbeaten run in the final round of the match. She did have an opportunity, but missed the chance.

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Keti played 27…Na8? And her material deficit became apparent and she couldn’t hold the game. There was a good move though which gets her back in the game 27...Ng4! 28.g3 Qd5+ 29.Qf3 e2 30.axb6 exf1Q+ 31.Rxf1 and Keti is ok.

So the women draw their match 6-6

So after 6 rounds of some thrilling games, the UK team are soundly beaten by an extremely talented China team.

The matches were more hard fought than what the score suggests, but the UK faced an in form and confident, and multi-talented Chinese team. I prefer to pick the positives from a beating. It was a big match for British team chess, and would of created lots of interest and increased the popularity of the in the country. Our 2 chess stars playing team chess together in the UK for over 20 years. They performed ok.

Houska and Rowson had a dismal time of it, but it must have been a great experience for them. Master Howell performed average, Pert was unlucky not to get at least another point. I think Gawain Jones Britains newest GM is going to increase his rating over the year. He put himself in the position to beat two 2600+ players, but did not find the winning combinations. He will go away with a wealth of experience from this event.

Ok it was disappointing to lose by a big margin, but for me it was an interesting event to watch our national chess team play a big match like this one.

All credit to Keti for being our top scorer. A worthy British women’s champion.

Yes, China is going to win -two- team Gold medals next year at Dresden.

Hi <watergun>. 5.5 points in the British is pretty awesome, congrats on that.

I wrote a piece on the Jacob Aagard page which included your game agaist him. Wow I bet you was kicking yourself when after the game you missed the resigning 28 Rb7. You missed a few more after that, but it was a great effort. So near yet so far.

Funny game chess. If you would have won that, Jacob would probably not be British champion. He did deserve it though, he played some good games.

Best of luck in your chess progress, and stop going out to party's until 4am with Gawain Jones if you want to improve your chess. :-)

Will you be watching the World championships, and who is your tip to win it?