Neckar Open

checknraise

A large contingent of Irish players are playing in the Neckar Open in Germany that runs from the 2/4/15 - 6/4/15.

http://www.neckar-open.de/index.php/de/teilnehmer

The Irish players competing are as follows

Sam Collins
Conor O'Donnell
David Murray
Peter Cafolla
Gordon Freeman
Anthony Fox
Carl Jackson
Conor Maher

I might be missing one or two names however it is an extremely strong tournament at the top with 3 2700+ GM's playing and it will be possible for Sam to make his third and final GM norm.

The live games will be available on chessbomb.

http://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2015-deizneck

Best of luck to the lads, hopefully they can come home with a scalp or two.

eclipsechaser

After Round 3:

Sam Collins 3/3
Conor O'Donnell 2/3
David Murray 1.5/3
Peter Cafolla 2/3
Gordon Freeman 1.5/3
Anthony Fox 1.5/3
Carl Jackson 1/3
Conor Maher 0.5/3

midajoh

Can Sam get his GM title if he scores 6 1/2?

cdeb

He's up to 4/4 now, but doesn't look like he's playing players anywhere near strong enough for a GM norm.

midajoh

cdeb wrote: »

He's up to 4/4 now, but doesn't look like he's playing players anywhere near strong enough for a GM norm.

I see that he will eventually play Gm's if this is a swiss format.Just not sure if he can get a GM here as you stated.

cdeb

He may play GMs alright, but the score for a norm depends on the average of all your opponents. So playing a 2260 in round 4 (and presumably similar or weaker players in earlier rounds) more or less eliminates that straight off.

L1m1tless

He's got the top seed today Chao Li 2700+

eclipsechaser

cdeb wrote: »

He may play GMs alright, but the score for a norm depends on the average of all your opponents. So playing a 2260 in round 4 (and presumably similar or weaker players in earlier rounds) more or less eliminates that straight off.

I think he's still on course. Playing a 2730 definitely helps the average opponent rating. There are only 12 GMs in the competition though so that could be an issue too.

If yore going to lose one, as black against a 2730 is probably the best way to go...

cdeb

eclipsechaser wrote: »

I think he's still on course.

Is he?

*Gets out pen and paper*

He's played 2101 (which will count as 2200 I think), 2247, 2322 and 2290 so far. 2730 tomorrow. Average opponent of 2357.8 and (if he loses tomorrow) a rating performance of 2597.5.

So he's close on a 2600 performance alright, even if he loses tomorrow. If he doesn't - all the better. His opponents' ratings are too low at the moment - minimum of 2380 required.

He's now played players from two non-Irish federations - so that box is ticked.

He has to play 3 GMs and 5 titled players all told - he's played 1 GM, 1 WGM and 1 FM so far.

But as we get into the business end of the tournament, that should all improve.

So yeah, maybe I was too quick to write off his chances!

Just looking through the entries list; that's one massive tournament.

Edit - I see Carl Jackson lost a game! :eek: The streak is over. Though it was against a 2200.

midajoh

Another good win for Sam that puts him 5/6

eclipsechaser

midajoh wrote: »

Another good win for Sam that puts him 5/6

Conor O'Donnell is also on an extremely impressive 4.5/6. I think that last win puts him one result away from the FM title.

cdeb

midajoh wrote: »

Another good win for Sam that puts him 5/6

Important win too - he was "only" playing a 2340, which is below the average required. Had he drawn, he could have been dragged down to play lower-rated players.

As it is, he has a fourth titled player in the bag (the 2340 was an FM). But I make it he needs to play an average of 2430 over the last three rounds to reach the "average opponent" requirement.

Rating performance now at 2621.5.

Might be up ten FIDE points as well?

eclipsechaser

cdeb wrote: »

Important win too - he was "only" playing a 2340, which is below the average required. Had he drawn, he could have been dragged down to play lower-rated players.

As it is, he has a fourth titled player in the bag (the 2340 was an FM). But I make it he needs to play an average of 2430 over the last three rounds to reach the "average opponent" requirement.

Rating performance now at 2621.5.

Might be up ten FIDE points as well?

Sam has been drawn against an FM. I guess he would have wanted a GM as he now needs two GMs in his final 2 rounds. I would think he'd need to win this round and the next in order for that to happen. Even then. With so few GMs in a massive tournament, that was always likely to be an issue.

In any case, it's been a great tournament for him and he's recovered a few dropped points from the last month. Delighted for him.

Conor O'Donnell gets a GM this round (Sam would have preferred his draw). He's currently 2297 live so any result here gets him the FM title.

Great stuff!

eclipsechaser

Conor O'Donnell draws to a GM and in the process gets the FM title. (I think).

Youngest Irish FM?

Well done, Conor!

cdeb

That's hugely impressive; well done!

Another Irish titled player I have an unbeaten record against.

eclipsechaser

Going into the final round:

Sam Collins 6/8
Conor O'Donnell 5.5/8
David Murray 4.5/8
Peter Cafolla 4/8
Gordon Freeman 4/8
Anthony Fox 3.5/8
Carl Jackson 3.5/8
Conor Maher 3/8


I imagine pretty much everyone will be pleased with those results.

eclipsechaser

Final standings:

Sam Collins 6.5/9
Conor O'Donnell 5.5/9
David Murray 5/9
Gordon Freeman 4.5/9
Peter Cafolla 4/9
Carl Jackson 4.5/9
Anthony Fox 4/9
Conor Maher 3/9

midajoh

eclipsechaser wrote: »

Final standings:

Sam Collins 6.5/9
Conor O'Donnell 5.5/9
David Murray 5/9
Gordon Freeman 4.5/9
Peter Cafolla 4/9
Carl Jackson 4.5/9
Anthony Fox 4/9
Conor Maher 3/9

It's a credit to them all they played very good and a fantastic result for Conor O'Donnell.

Chess_Coach

Well done all and it looks like that we have a new FM. Well done FM Conor !