The strongest chess tournament ever to be held in the UK has kicked off at Olympia. The main event is a 9 player round robin featuring the world's top 3 players in Magnus Carlsen, Levon Aronian and Vladimir Kramnik, current World Champion Vishy Anand, top US player Hikaru Nakamura, the world's strongest female player Judit Polgar and English Grandmasters Michael Adams, Gawain Jones and Luke McShane. 

The first two rounds were bloodthirsty affairs, with 6 decisive results out of 8. Round 3 was just as hard fought, but only Adams could find a breakthrough, inflicting a second defeat on Polgar to maintain his 100% record. What distinguishes this tournament from many others is the use of football's 3-1-0 scoring system, which is designed to reward attacking play. With the banning of draw offers also in operation, and taking the prize fund into account, these measures to disproportionately reward wins are for the benefit of the huge online audience, who are able to follow the games live at www.londonchessclassic.com. 

Standings after Round 3 (games played in brackets):

1= Carlsen & Kramnik 7 (3)

3. Adams 6 (2)

4. Nakamura 4 (3)

5= Anand 2 (2), Jones 2 (3)

7= McShane 1 (2), Polgar & Aronian 1 (3)

 

In addition to the Classic, there is an internationally rated Open with 234 entrants from 44 nations. The only Bucks representative is Bourne End's Roger de Coverly who is currently on 1/3. Wycombe & Hazlemere's Sam Walker finished 2nd= behind John Reid of Hackney in the Weekend Open. 

This evening also saw English Grandmaster and 1993 World Championship contender Nigel Short give a simultaneous display in the lobby. Bourne End's Dave Turner (pictured facing Short's next wave) took part. Despite losing, he enjoyed the privilege of the experience, describing Short as "one of the greats". 

 

Follow my coverage of the London Chess Classic on Twitter @buckschess.