James Capel Speed Chess Challenge 1988 SF - IM Michael Adams v GM Jonathan Speelman

First semi-final. 16 year old Mickey Adams, of course, later became an elite super GM peaking at 2761 and No 4 in the world.
Commentary by GM Raymond Keene assisted by GM Larry Evans.
Sorry about the poor quality as it was recorded on long play video tape. I adjusted it as best I could. I thought it worth preserving though.

[@b3rno]

Again Thank you for that! It's such a joy to watch chess era without any engines involved

[@michaelblankenau6598]

That’s like saying it’s such a joy to see people adding up numbers without a calculator. If the engines give objective evaluations of positions and play more accurately what can humans contribute to any of it ?

[@stevenseymour4372]

My goodness thank you again sir for another fine video of young Michael Adams and the wizard Speelman

[@shadowside8433]

This will just about to make up for the rest day in Norway Chess - thanks!

[@isayoldchap1]

Jon Speelman - a wonderfully eccentric character as always. His game collection "Jon Speelman's Best Games" is a treasure trove of interesting chess. He definitely had a penchant for off-beat openings and double-edged positions. This was a tremendous period for British Chess with Nunn, Short, and Speelman all near the top of their respective games, and Michael Adams quickly rising through the ranks.

[@Complexity_Tv]

I can't believe there would be a videos like this so amazing game just keep uploading👍

[@kinglear5952]

I was there man, in the audience.

[@gus8696]

Great old stuff! Thank you, Rob. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have much footage any more of World Championships, and the stuff we do have is usually obscured by boards.

[@joannalewis5279]

Great stuff I do remember following chess in the early 90s when Adams surpassed Short in their matches

[@apezza4269]

Whatever happened to Michael Adams, such a prospect....
To think he is still doing the business now in his 50's.
Thank you for the upload.

[@raylopez99]

He did OK. Outlasted his nemesis GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov, and still plays professionally. Edit: I see Rustam still is in the 2700Chess site as active. I thought he was retired as a coach. About the same Elo as Adams; a few points higher at the moment.

[@jprw]

Thank you so much for uploading these treasures. Would it be possible for you to transfer these programmes to a DVD and then sell them? I would gladly buy them.

[@russellfrancis6294]

I couldn't agree more.

[@richardhelliwell1210]

Cheesy keyboard stabs at the beginning. Must be the 80s!

[@davidgeorge6818]

You've got to have it if you're keen.

[@jozefserf2024]

Adams was a strange chess player. Odd style.

[@Xinder720]

Kasparov reportedly compared Adams' style to a spider.

[@yacsem]

Never trust a man in a bow tie

[@shadowside8433]

Never trust a Penguin!

[@davidgeorge6818]

A witty & informative pundit though!

[@yacsem]

@@davidgeorge6818 Yes, but also insufferably pompous and smug. His commentaries were excellent though, one of the best at explaining strategy and tactics of GM games in a way that even casual players could follow.

[@davidgeorge6818]

Really? I think he's one of those British characters that get's waaaay too much criticism. I'll happily watch or read anything by him (or Bill Hartston - another favourite chess pundit).🎩☔👍

[@shadowside8433]

@@davidgeorge6818 Oh, he is smug and has that upper middle-class layer of superiority.