22 Mar 08
Does anyone remember the Thematic in Buenos Aries in 1994 when some of the best players in the world Anand, Karpov, Ivanchuk, Shirov, Polagr, Kamsky etc played all games in the Open Sicilian.
Would be great to do that here but fear that it would not be possible
I think the games went 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 2.e6/d6/Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 and then anything went after that!!
Bet there would be loads of interest!!
22 Mar 08
Originally posted by SquelchbelchI doubt it sadly.
I'd rather see a Morra gambit accepted tourni.
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if some IM's & FM's got shock wins for white against stronger opposition.
Mind you Michael Adams once beat GM William Watson with the Morra at a British Championship - that was a while ago though. 1989/1990. Can't remember if Adams was a GM then. Perhaps not.
22 Mar 08
2 edits
Originally posted by JonathanB of LondonBen Hague beat openings guru GM Jim Plaskett in 2004 with the Morra.
I doubt it sadly.
Mind you Michael Adams once beat GM William Watson with the Morra at a British Championship - that was a while ago though. 1989/1990. Can't remember if Adams was a GM then. Perhaps not.
Patrick Ray beat Morra accepted defence theorist IM Ben Finegold with the gambit last year.
22 Mar 08
Originally posted by SquelchbelchJim Plaskett is an openings guru???
Ben Hague beat openings guru Jim Plaskett in 2004 with the Morra.
Patrick Ray beat Morra accepted defence theorist IM Ben Finegold with the gambit last year.
Anyway, I'm not saying it's possible that an FM/IM would beat a stronger player with the gambit but it's just not that likely. Certainly wouldn't be a common occurence.
I'm quite fond of the Morra - played it a few times myself years ago. Not sure it's tremendously good though.
22 Mar 08
2 edits
Originally posted by SquelchbelchBen Hague also plays the Wing Gambit against the Sicilian.
Ben Hague beat openings guru GM Jim Plaskett in 2004 with the Morra.
Patrick Ray beat Morra accepted defence theorist IM Ben Finegold with the gambit last year.
I know cos i saw him play it against our Board 1 when my team played against him team this year.
P.S. He won 😉