Staunton Memorial: Photograph Report

Thanks to Vad for these splendid pictures of yesterday's Staunton Memorial Tournament, which witnessed the first clash between the English greats Adams and Short this century, I believe!

But first . . .

. . . the venue Simpson's-in-the-Strand from the outside, sandwiched between two buses . . .

. . . who'd know it was hosting a chess tournament?



But inside things are getting ready.



Nigel Short waits for Michael Adams, looking fully concentrated . . .

. . . while Bob Wade peruses the paper - perhaps looking for pointers from Ray Keene's chess column?



The games begin. Arbiter Eric Schiller stands behind the two players.



Meanwhile, Short has surprised Adams on move 1, playing the Alekhine with the black pieces . . .



. . . but the game soon peters out to a twenty-move draw. Looks like the fianchetto variation, where with white against Timman back in 1991, Short won a well-remembered classic.

Things will not prove so nice for Bob Wade, however, in his game against Jon Speelman.

Wells and Chernyaev look to be the last to finish.

Soon there'll be nothing for organizer Ray Keene (in the background) and arbiter Eric Schiller (foreground) to do for the night.

Except of course outside there's London, where there's always things to do!

Thanks again to Vad for these great photographs. The homepage for the tournament is here. Today is a rest day, but the tournament continues from Thursday until Monday from 2pm each day (except on the final day, when they start at noon.) Entry to the venue on the Strand is free and highly recommended.