| London Chess Classic GCT Finals (2019) |
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The 11th London Chess Classic, held from 2-8 December 2019 at the Olympia Conference Centre in Kensington, London, England, was a knockout tournament played between the four Grand Chess Tour finalists Magnus Carlsen, Ding Liren, Levon Aronian and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, as part of the London Chess Classic Festival. The matches consisted of eight games, two classical (worth 6 points), two rapid (4 points) and four blitz (2 points). In case of a tie, a rapid mini-match (10+5) and Armageddon (5 vs 4) would be played. The prize fund was $350,000, with $150,000 for 1st place, 100k for 2nd, 60k for 3rd and 40k for 4th. In classical chess the players received 130 minutes for the entire game, with a 30-second delay from move 1, then 25+10 for the rapid, and 5+3 for the blitz. Chief organizer: Malcolm Pein. Chief arbiter: IA Anastasia Sorokina. The event was won by Ding Liren. Table: Semifinal 1
Std Rpd Blitz Tbk
Vachier-Lagrave 2780 3 3 2 2 1 2 0 1 14 1 ½
Carlsen 2872 3 3 2 2 1 0 2 1 14 0 ½
Semifinal 2
Std Rpd Blitz
Ding Liren 2801 3 3 4 4 1 2 2 0 19
Aronian 2775 3 3 0 0 1 0 0 2 9
Bronze final
Std Rpd Blitz
Carlsen 2872 6 3 0 4 1 2 1 0 17
Aronian 2775 0 3 4 0 1 0 1 2 11
Final
Std Rpd Blitz
Ding Liren 2801 3 6 4 2 0 0 1 0 16
Vachier-Lagrave 2780 3 0 0 2 2 2 1 2 12
Ding Liren won the overall Grand Chess Tour 2019 and netted $294,833 in total.Official site: http://www.londonchessclassic.com/p...
Official GCT site: https://grandchesstour.org/2019-gra...
Chess.com: https://www.chess.com/news/view/din...
ChessBase: https://en.chessbase.com/post/magnu...
Regulations: https://tickets.londonchessclassic....
Chess24: https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-t...
TWIC: https://theweekinchess.com/html/twi... Previous: London Chess Classic GCT Finals (2018). Next: London Chess Classic ENG - RoW (2021). Previous GCT event: GCT Kolkata Rapid & Blitz (2019). See also London Chess Classic Open (2019)
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| page 1 of 2; games 1-25 of 34 |
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| Game |
| Result | Moves |
Year | Event/Locale | Opening |
| 1. Aronian vs Ding Liren |
| ½-½ | 28 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | D40 Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch |
| 2. Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave |
  | ½-½ | 32 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | B95 Sicilian, Najdorf, 6...e6 |
| 3. Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen |
| ½-½ | 43 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | C80 Ruy Lopez, Open |
| 4. Ding Liren vs Aronian |
| ½-½ | 28 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | E50 Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3, without ...d5 |
| 5. Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen |
| ½-½ | 44 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | B51 Sicilian, Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack |
| 6. Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave |
| 0-1 | 83 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | B95 Sicilian, Najdorf, 6...e6 |
| 7. Aronian vs Ding Liren |
| 1-0 | 32 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | C53 Giuoco Piano |
| 8. Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave |
| ½-½ | 72 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | A37 English, Symmetrical |
| 9. Ding Liren vs Aronian |
| 1-0 | 36 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | C50 Giuoco Piano |
| 10. Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen |
| 0-1 | 45 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | B56 Sicilian |
| 11. Aronian vs Ding Liren |
| 0-1 | 36 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | A21 English |
| 12. Ding Liren vs Aronian |
| ½-½ | 49 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | A56 Benoni Defense |
| 13. Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen |
| ½-½ | 46 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | C80 Ruy Lopez, Open |
| 14. Aronian vs Ding Liren |
| 0-1 | 39 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | A28 English |
| 15. Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave |
| ½-½ | 59 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | D87 Grunfeld, Exchange |
| 16. Ding Liren vs Aronian |
| 1-0 | 35 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined |
| 17. Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen |
| ½-½ | 46 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | C78 Ruy Lopez |
| 18. Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave |
| 0-1 | 54 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | A48 King's Indian |
| 19. Carlsen vs Aronian |
| 1-0 | 66 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | D02 Queen's Pawn Game |
| 20. Vachier-Lagrave vs Ding Liren |
| ½-½ | 90 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | C78 Ruy Lopez |
| 21. Ding Liren vs Vachier-Lagrave |
| 1-0 | 50 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | A37 English, Symmetrical |
| 22. Aronian vs Carlsen |
| ½-½ | 81 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | D70 Neo-Grunfeld Defense |
| 23. Carlsen vs Aronian |
| 0-1 | 64 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | C44 King's Pawn Game |
| 24. Vachier-Lagrave vs Ding Liren |
| 1-0 | 53 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | C84 Ruy Lopez, Closed |
| 25. Aronian vs Carlsen |
| ½-½ | 56 | 2019 | London Chess Classic GCT Finals | C16 French, Winawer |
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| page 1 of 2; games 1-25 of 34 |
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< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 8 OF 9 ·
Later Kibitzing> |
Dec-12-19
 | | moronovich: You are very welcome <Diademas> |
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| Dec-12-19 | | Sokrates: <Diademas> <I don't think <Count Wedgemore>, <valiant> or myself would disagree with you on this.> I don't think either. I did hear the subtle, profound irony in the "pain". :-) But in these times of growing nationalism I think it's good now and then to take a clear stand. |
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| Dec-12-19 | | Clemens Scheitz: ...and that "clear stand" hopefully means that in a deeper sense we are all brothers and sisters and that the best and perhaps only way to secure future global peace and commonwealth is to leave aside petty differences and pull together as humankind undivided...
As far as chess, are we going to have the Jerusalem tournament anytime soon in these pages?, I think Master So is the only winner so far, the rest appear to be a bunch of draws and a couple only reached 10 moves. |
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| Dec-12-19 | | diceman: <Clemens Scheitz: ...and that "clear stand" hopefully means that in a deeper sense we are all brothers and sisters and that the best and perhaps only way to secure future global peace and commonwealth is to leave aside petty differences and pull together as humankind undivided...> Global peace?
We can't even create national peace.
<leave aside petty differences and pull together> You may want to tell that to the "Brexit" folks! |
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| Dec-12-19 | | Sokrates: Well spoken, dear <Clemens Scheitz>. Although reality often disheartens us (as <diceman> states), we should aim at the highest ideals. As my late countryman Piet Hein wrote: Co-existence
or no-existence |
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| Dec-12-19 | | Pedro Fernandez: <<Clemens Scheitz>: As far as chess, are we going to have the Jerusalem tournament anytime soon in these pages?> And ironically <Friedman> was Jewish. I'm wondering myself (every time!) whether are there policies which don't let the transmission, in CG, of some tournaments. I don't know the answer, and that is annoying. |
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| Dec-13-19 | | WorstPlayerEver: <But in these times of growing nationalism I think it's good now and then to take a clear stand.> <Sokrates>
"Those who always know what’s best
are a universal pest.”
― Piet Hein
Global pest, yes. |
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| Dec-13-19 | | Sokrates: Right, <WPE>, and further from PH: The noble art of losing face
may some day save the human race
and turn into eternal merit
what weaker minds would call disgrace |
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| Dec-13-19 | | nok: The winds of Thor are blowing cold on this page. |
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Dec-13-19
 | | Diademas: <The winds of Thor are blowing cold on this page.> They choose the path where no-one goes
They hold no quarter
They ask no quarter |
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| Dec-13-19 | | Pedro Fernandez: <Jerusalem>: Today has been a day with sorrow and glory. |
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Dec-13-19
| | Diademas: <I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In [CG's] green & pleasant Land.>
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_d... |
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| Dec-13-19 | | parmetd: Why no page for GP Jerusalem?
With Shak hone, MVL has great chances to get the second spot. |
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Dec-13-19
| | Diademas: < parmetd: Why no page for GP Jerusalem?
With Shak hone, MVL has great chances to get the second spot> I just asked that question at chessgames.com chessforum
Until something happens, and I'm not too optimistic, we could use this page.
I'm hoping MVL gets it. Nepo will probably get the wildcard anyway. |
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| Dec-13-19 | | Billy Vaughan: As best I understand, this is how MVL's qualification lines up against Nepomniachtchi's. If MVL loses to Andreikin in round 2, Nepo will qualify if and only if he reaches the finals (round 4). Otherwise MVL qualifies. If MVL defeats Andreikin in the classical portion, Nepo will have to win the whole event, defeating MVL in the semis along the way. Otherwise MVL qualifies. If MVL defeats Andreikin in the tie-breaks, Nepo will be able to qualify either by winning the whole event, or by winning both rounds 2 and 3 in the classical portion and reaching the final. Am I missing something? |
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| Dec-13-19 | | Billy Vaughan: And then for So, he is on MVL and Nepo's side of the bracket, and therefore in a position to decide his fate, despite not having many points going into this GP. He'll need to win the event with 1 or 2 more bonus points for winning in the classical phase, depending on whether MVL beats Andreikin in classical or not. |
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| Dec-13-19 | | Pedro Fernandez: Hey <Billy Vaughan>, your explanation is interesting but pretty complicated. So let's reduce this. Do you mean if Nepomniachtchi win the GP then Kirill Alekseenko will be the wild card? Thank you and regards. |
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| Dec-14-19 | | parmetd: We have no way of knowing which Russian is getting the wild card. That's independent of this event. |
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Dec-14-19
| | Diademas: The regulations on who is eligible for the wildcard: 2.2.F
<1 place – Player nominated by the Organizer
The Organizer of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2020 has the right to nominate a player who meets at least one of the
following criteria (provided that he participates in at least two events listed below in b., c. and d.):
a. The player from the top-10 players by average FIDE rating as per Clause E;
b. The player placed third in the FIDE World Cup 2019 (if the third player is qualified - then the player placed fourth, but not
any further);
c. The best non-qualifying player from the FIDE Grand Swiss 2019;
d. The best non-qualifying player from the FIDE Grand Prix Series 2019.>
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou... (PDF) By all probability it will be a Russian, so Nepo, Alekseenko and Karjakin(?) would be the names that springs to mind. |
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| Dec-14-19 | | Pedro Fernandez: But <parmetd> and <Diademas>, I mean assuming Nepo qualifies. So the last spot is the wild card. Thus Russia can elects Karjakin or Alekseenko? I thought only the latter may qualify. |
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Dec-14-19
| | Diademas: <Pedro Fernandez: But <parmetd> and <Diademas>, I mean assuming Nepo qualifies. So the last spot is the wild card. Thus Russia can elects Karjakin or Alekseenko? I thought only the latter may qualify.> I'm not sure if Karjakin is eligible, hence the <?>. I thought he wasn't, but this article seems to suggest otherwise.
<Last but not least, there might be hope for a wildcard place in the Candidates Tournament. However, given that the tournament is to be held in Russia, a Russian candidate can be expected. And it's not a simple choice. If one goes by rating, Ian Nepomniachtchi would be the first contender. If it comes down to Kremlin favour, there's a case to be made for Sergey Karjakin. >
https://en.chessbase.com/post/a-bac... |
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| Dec-14-19 | | Sokrates: <If it comes down to Kremlin favour, there's a case to be made for Sergey Karjakin.> Is this article insinuating that the noble Russian authorities would make "a case" for a player based on pure political preferences and not results? Perish the thought! |
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| Dec-14-19 | | Clemens Scheitz: I would like to give Karjakin the benefit of the doubt, perhaps he is sick, otherwise a draw with white after only 8 moves seems so ...deplorable |
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| Dec-14-19 | | parmetd: There may still be some way for Karjakin to get third if Nepo bombs and So bombs and Karjakin wins the event. Mvl gets the spot but Karjakin takes third thus being eligible for the wild card via D. Nepo already qualifies for wildcard via a and Alekseenko qualifies via c. |
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Dec-15-19
 | | MissScarlett: Does Nepo have a bad-boy reputation in Russia? That stupid hairstyle doesn't help! |
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