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Giant Steps for David Howell in Somerset House Exhibition Match

David Howell made another giant step in his chess career when he comfortably held Sergei Karjakin, the youngest Grandmaster in the world, to a draw in an exhibition match held to launch The Art of Chess exhibition at the Gilbert Collection, Somerset House. This special exhibition, which is on view until 28 September 2003, features 19 chess sets designed by 20th century masters such as Duchamp and Calder and new designs by artists at the cutting edge: Damien Hirst, Yayoi Kusama, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Paul McCarthy and Maurizio Cattelan. The exhibition is generously supported by Oleg Deripaska.

The match was played on Saturday 28 June 2003 on a magnificent summer day in the open air Courtyard at Somerset House. David, the 12 year old prodigy from Sussex, had already established his credentials earlier in the week by disposing of Grandmaster Jonathan Speelman in a match sponsored by British Land at Regent’s Place in Euston, also played on a giant chess set. Karjakin, who has been tipped by many as a future World Champion, drew the black pieces, and the game began with the spectators crowded round four or five deep, trying to get a glimpse of the moves. On the edges of the Courtyard two large demonstration boards had been erected and Grandmasters Jonathan Levitt and Daniel King regaled the spectators on the intricacies of the game as it progressed.

David, who had been coached prior to the match by Grandmaster Levitt, had prepared well and chose a variation which allowed Karjakin little opportunity to exercise his natural combinative flair. After several moves of mutual probing, David had negated all of Karjakin’s counter play and the latter was forced to take up a defensive posture. As the pressure increased, Karjakin attempted to break out and managed to exchange queens into an end game that still looked weak for him. However, he managed to equalise the position by advancing his central pawn and, as time began to run short on both clocks, it became clear that a decisive victory was not going to be scored by either side so a draw was agreed. The major success was undoubtedly David’s since, although Karjakin is a high ranking Grandmaster, David has yet to gain his International Master title. This performance, coupled with his win over Speelman a few days before, showed that David can compete in the strongest company.

After the exhibition match, the two young players plus Grandmaster Daniel King, took part in simultaneous chess displays against members of the public and UK Chess Challenge Supremi (the UK Chess Challenge, sponsored by British Land, is the largest chess tournament in the world involving 66,000 children from 2,000 schools). In a marathon 5 hour session, played inside a marquee especially erected by the Gilbert Collection, the Masters completed almost 180 games of chess. Sergei Karjakin proved particularly devastating, playing an incredible 68 games, defeating 63 players, drawing 3 games and losing only to Miguel Amen and Andrew Stone, a percentage of 94.9. David Howell played 59 games, won 48, drew 9 and lost to Xin Jie Gai of Oxfordshire and Tariq Oozerally from Surrey, a success rate of 90%. Daniel King played 47 games, won 43, drew 3 and lost to Kees Pafort from Holland, scoring 94.7% The marquee, originally erected as a protection against possible rainfall, proved an immense boon against the scorching rays of the English sun.

Whilst these games were in progress a parallel blitz event for UK Chess Challenge children and members of the public was also being run in the Somerset House Courtyard. At the same time the fountains were turned on which delighted children who splashed about in them excitedly throughout the afternoon.

The event was generously supported by Freestream Aircraft Limited, The British Land Company PLC and Sir Jeremy Morse, KCMG. It was so popular that it may well be repeated next year.

The Game:

White: David Howell Black: Sergei Karjakin
British Land Exhibition Match, 28.06/2003, Somerset House

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Bb5+ Bd7 4 Bxd7+ Qxd7 5 c4 Nc6 6 Nc3 Nf6 7 d4 cxd4 8 Nxd4 e6 9 0-0 Be7 10 Be3 0-0 11 b3 a6 12 Qe2 Rfd8 13 Rfd1 Qc7 14 Rac1 Qa5 15 f3 Rac8 16 Na4 Nd7 17 Qd2 Qh5 18 Nc3 Nxd4 19 Bxd4 Ne5 20 Ne2 Nc6 21 Nf4 Qh6 22 Be3 Bg5 23 g3 Ne5 24 Kg2 Qf6 25 h4 Bh6 26 Qe2 Qe7 27 Nd3 Bxe3 28 Qxe3 Nc6 29 Nf4 Rd7 30 Rd2 Rcd8 31 Rcd1 Ne5 32 Nd3 Nc6 33 Qb6 (diag.)

h6 34 b4 e5 35 Nc1 Qe6 36 b5 Nd4 37 bxa6 bxa6 38 Nb3 Qxc4 39 Nxd4 cxd4 40 Qxd4 Qxd4 41 Rxd4 Rc7 42 Kf2 Kf8 43 Ke2 Ke7 44 Rb1 Rc5 45 Rb6 a5 46 Ra6 h5 47 Kd3 d5 48 Ra7+ Ke6 49 Ra6+ Ke7 50 Ra7+ Ke6 draw agreed.

Results of the Blitz Tournament (37 played)

Results of the Supremi Blitz Tournament (28 played)

For further information, please contact:
Mike Basman, Event Co-ordinator, UK Chess Challenge, 07715 041320, or
Sue Bond Public Relations for the Gilbert Collection, 01359 271085