can't wait for the event... i go for Nakamura!

The Short Mcshane game only really came alive once they reached move 100.

Until then i got the feeling than Short was waiting for Mcshane to offer a draw.

Once Short lost a pawn late on he was struggling to defend all his pawns.

It was good to see Carlsen prowling around the stage in between moves.

Plus the star of the event was Korchnoi,not playing but just being a legend.

3 points for each win

1 point for each draw

they will be playing 'em out in London!

That McShane - Short game was one of the most ridiculous I've ever seen, nearly eight hours.

I lied, McShane ended up beating Short after 150+ moves.

Carlsen beat Kramnik , all other games are draws

@chessaholicalien

I think some hope this will be a breakout tournament for Nakamura.

Why all the fuss about Nakamura? He's only a few rating points above Short. Short (or Adams) could well cause him a lot of problems.

Kinda anticlimactic that the number one and two seeds are playing in round one.

@zankfrappa - great idea!  Lots of photos would be good, too!

     Perhaps some of the members of Chess.com who attend the event live
could write some blogs about what happens there!

@TomMac19 - the pairings are up - see here.

does anyone know when the draw is? ive got my ticket for Thursday and am missing uni/essay writing because of it! so it better be a good one!

It's gonna be Carlsen And Nakamura for sure!!!

Carlsen will win.  Howell is current British champion but was the top seed in the draw, this is an entirely different ball-game.

@Joe90 - thank you

i would like to see again the duel of Nakamura and Carlsen.... that's whole lot interesting.  GO NAKAMURA!

This could be an exciting event.  Carlsen, of course, has been on a sharp upward trajectory and his recent collaboration with Kasparov clearly has increased the grade.  But Kramnik is also on a tear since his loss to Anand, rocketing back into the top 5 to serve notice his days of competing at the top level (and for the title) are nowhere near done. 

For Nakamura it is a challenge and an opportunity.  This will be the strongest field he has ever faced.  How he deals with it may tell us a lot about his short-term potential.  Nigel Short has rebounded yet again with excellent results over the last year or so, and another success here on his home turf could signal his return to the world's elite.  Mikey Adams has the potential to finish at the top or the bottom, depending on his form.  McShane has left chess as a profession, so his preparation may be suspect.  I don't know much about David Howell, but I expect I will find out quite enough over the next few days.

Here's to good chess and a fighting, sporting event!

I am going on tuesday the first day of play.Hope to see some great chess.

I think there will be many decisive games even among the top players, several of whom have shown that they are not afraid to play for the win!