Originally posted by Ragnorak
The games played in the recent championship didn't seem like a near 2100 OTB player.
Some of his wacky moves, and opening play seemed like it belonged to somebody no more than 1700, IMHO.
D
Hi there
If he qualified for the British Championship main section, that that in my opinion is an achievement in itself to be applauded. The tournament was stronger than an ordinary open, because other players either had to actively qualify or have the relevant chess title (FM or above) to automatically qualify.
It is a shame he apparently abused engines on this site - but please don't degenerate his achievement of playing in the British chess championship main section (or apparently doing badley) - it is a very good achievement to qualify for that tournament. And it he was a junior player, then it is a very good learning experience for him, to improve for future years.
But apparently his birth date is 1952 according to the Fide records, if I have the right player look up - so actually it is good for a player of his age to be competing at that level for proper one day a game Fide time controls, over a gruelling 11 round tournament.
There are already some people on this forum that seem to want to actively run down the British championship - I wish they would first qualify and play in it before wanting to attack the championship for not being as strong as it used to be. Or recognise at least that Adams and Short didn't just pop out like potatoes from the ground - they used to be under 2300 and actually did play in the British championship with far lower Fide ratings that they have now. It is a very good learning experience for potentially dangerous players who have qualified in the relevant qualifying events.