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🏆 London Chess Classic GCT Finals (2019)

  PARTICIPANTS (sorted by highest achieved rating; click on name to see player's games)
Magnus Carlsen, Levon Aronian, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Ding Liren

Chessgames.com Chess Event Description
London Chess Classic GCT Finals (2019)

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/
Official GCT site: https://grandchesstour.org/
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). Previous GCT event: GCT Kolkata Rapid & Blitz (2019). See also London Chess Classic Open (2019)

 page 1 of 2; games 1-25 of 34  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave ½-½322019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsB95 Sicilian, Najdorf, 6...e6
2. Aronian vs Ding Liren  ½-½282019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsD40 Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch
3. Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen  ½-½432019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsC80 Ruy Lopez, Open
4. Ding Liren vs Aronian ½-½282019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsE50 Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3, without ...d5
5. Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen 0-1452019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsB56 Sicilian
6. Ding Liren vs Aronian 1-0362019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsC50 Giuoco Piano
7. Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave  ½-½722019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsA37 English, Symmetrical
8. Aronian vs Ding Liren 1-0322019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsC53 Giuoco Piano
9. Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave 0-1832019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsB95 Sicilian, Najdorf, 6...e6
10. Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen  ½-½442019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsB51 Sicilian, Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack
11. Aronian vs Ding Liren 0-1362019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsA21 English
12. Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave 0-1542019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsA48 King's Indian
13. Ding Liren vs Aronian ½-½492019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsA56 Benoni Defense
14. Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen  ½-½462019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsC80 Ruy Lopez, Open
15. Aronian vs Ding Liren 0-1392019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsA28 English
16. Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave  ½-½592019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsD87 Grunfeld, Exchange
17. Ding Liren vs Aronian 1-0352019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsD37 Queen's Gambit Declined
18. Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen  ½-½462019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsC78 Ruy Lopez
19. Carlsen vs Aronian 1-0662019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsD02 Queen's Pawn Game
20. Vachier-Lagrave vs Ding Liren ½-½902019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsC78 Ruy Lopez
21. Ding Liren vs Vachier-Lagrave 1-0502019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsA37 English, Symmetrical
22. Aronian vs Carlsen ½-½812019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsD70 Neo-Grunfeld Defense
23. Vachier-Lagrave vs Ding Liren 1-0532019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsC84 Ruy Lopez, Closed
24. Aronian vs Carlsen  ½-½562019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsC16 French, Winawer
25. Ding Liren vs Vachier-Lagrave ½-½482019London Chess Classic GCT FinalsE64 King's Indian, Fianchetto, Yugoslav System
 page 1 of 2; games 1-25 of 34  PGN Download
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Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 9 OF 9 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Dec-13-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  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

Dec-13-19  Pedro Fernandez: <Jerusalem>: Today has been a day with sorrow and glory.
Dec-13-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  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...
Dec-13-19  parmetd: Why no page for GP Jerusalem?

With Shak hone, MVL has great chances to get the second spot.

Dec-13-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  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.

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?

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.

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.
Dec-14-19  parmetd: We have no way of knowing which Russian is getting the wild card. That's independent of this event.
Dec-14-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  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.

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.
Dec-14-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  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...

Dec-14-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  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!

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
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.
Dec-15-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  MissScarlett: Does Nepo have a bad-boy reputation in Russia? That stupid hairstyle doesn't help!
Dec-15-19  LameJokes:

Will there be a play-off between Russian-eligible players for the Wildcard?

What is the FIDE rule in this regard?

Dec-15-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  Diademas: <LameJokes:
Will there be a play-off between Russian-eligible players for the Wildcard?

What is the FIDE rule in this regard?>

FIDE has no saying in the matter. It's left to the organizers as long as the candidate fulfills the requirements per the regulations.

Dec-15-19  LameJokes:

<Diademas> Thanks.

Dec-15-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  AylerKupp: As far as Karjakin being selected as the wildcard entry, he has no chance. The requirements for selecting the wildcard entry are the following, provided that the player also has played in two out of the FIDE World Cup 2019, FIDE Grand Swiss 2019, and FIDE Grand Prix 2019, and Karjakin has participated in all three.

(a) <The player from the top-10 players by average FIDE rating as per Clause E. > Through Dec-2019 Karjakin is currently #13 in average rating with only one month to go, so the rankings based on average rating are not likely to change much. Above him are Dominguez (#10), Radjabov (#11), and Kramnik (#12) . I don't think that the fact that Radjabov has already qualified as a result of reaching the finals of the World Cup and that Kramnik has retired make any difference as far as Karjakin meeting this requirement since their average ratings (as well as Dominguez's) will keep him out of the top 10 average rating ranking. He would have to gain 81 rating points in this tournament and get his rating to 2846 in order for his 12-month average rating of 2759.67 to <tie> Dominguez's 12-month average rating, assuming that Dominguez does not lose any rating points this month. That's very unlikely to happen.

(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).> Karjakin was eliminated in the third round so he does not meet this requirement.

(c) <The best non-qualifying player from the FIDE Grand Swiss 2019.> Karjakin placed 23rd so he does not meet this requirement.

(d) <The best non-qualifying player from the FIDE Grand Prix Series 2019.> Karjakin may still satisfy this requirement if he finishes in the top two in this event or fails to reach the finals but wins the 3rd place match.

So it seems to me that by failing to meet the requirements of conditions (a) (most likely), (b), and (c) that Karjakin will not be eligible to be selected as the wildcard entry for the 2020 Candidates Tournament. Of course, this is FIDE after all, so anything may happen.

Dec-15-19  fisayo123: <AylerKupp> That's good to know. He won't be missed.
Dec-15-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  Diademas: <<AylerKupp: As far as Karjakin being selected as the wildcard entry, he has no chance. >

[...]
(d) <The best non-qualifying player from the FIDE Grand Prix Series 2019.> Karjakin may still satisfy this requirement if he finishes in the top two in this event or fails to reach the finals but wins the 3rd place match.

So it seems to me that by failing to meet the requirements of conditions (a) (most likely), (b), and (c) that Karjakin will not be eligible to be selected as the wildcard entry for the 2020 Candidates Tournament. Of course, this is FIDE after all, so anything may happen.>>

Wouldn't that make it <a slim chance> rather than <no chance>? He can still make it via criteria (d)

Your premises does not support your conclusion.

Dec-15-19
Premium Chessgames Member		  AylerKupp: <<Diademas> You're right. I should have said either "slim chance" as you suggested or "practically no chance". We won't really know that he has absolutely no chance until either the end of this event or until he gets eliminated. The latter could come as soon as tomorrow.

Then again, FIDE is FIDE. :-)

Dec-15-19  Absentee: <fisayo123: <AylerKupp> That's good to know. He won't be missed.>

Oh? And why is that?

Dec-15-19  parmetd: Which is why I said he can make it. It's unlikely but there. Anyways Jakovenko is now out.
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