The absence of 2 factors has probably helped to create this year’s blanket finish, going in to the final round this afternoon.
| British Championship – Final Rd. | ||||||
| 1 | McShane | 6½ | 6½ | Jones | ||
| 2 | Howell | 6 | 6½ | Emms | ||
| 3 | Yang-Fan | 6 | 6 | Hanley | ||
| 4 | Gormally | 6 | 5½ | Ghasi | ||
Either Adams or Short would surely have this all sewn up by now, but they’re not here, and are surely missed by the spectators, if not the players.
The foreshortened 9 round format has many good points, but the possibility of a multiple play-off after the prizegiving is not one of them. An extra 2 rounds would have thinned down the contenders somewhat. As it is, the possibilities are almost endless.
For example, McShane and Jones can hardly afford to have a quick draw to ensure a play-off place, when Emms, who is clearly on-form, is capable of beating Howell, who is clearly not, thus taking the trophy outright. If Howell-Emms and Bd. 1 is drawn there would be 3-way tie. Or, if Howell, Yang-Fan and Gormally (all White) all win, while McShane – Jones is drawn, there’s a 5-way tie – and that could take the rest of the day tomorrow to resolve. And let’s not forget Hanley.
Two things are certain: there are many permutations, and the players will keeping a close eye on the other games as well as their own.
So who’s it going to be?