Covent Garden Entertainers

Covent Garden is a very entertaining place. If you find yourself in London, I recommend going there on a Sunday morning while the rest of the city sleeps (some of the shops don't open until 11.30 a.m.).

The market is well worth a look, but it's the eccentric jugglers and other street entertainers who never fail to impress.

The first one I saw last Sunday was a man who insisted on stripping off nearly everything before juggling with three knives as he wobbled around on a tall ladder.

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Next up was a man who seemed to specialise in singing On the Street Where You Live amid a deserted outdoor cafe. The back of his T-shirt bore the legend: 'CDs £10'.

The next juggler started by balancing her ladder on her chin. Then she dragged four volunteers from the crowd to hold the ladder upright with ropes before running through a short gymnastic display. The act concluded with some upside down juggling.

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There was even a man doing the old 'three cups' routine.

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And here is a man who thinks he's a dog. Or is it a dog who thinks he's a man?

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Maintaining the bizarre theme, it wasn't entirely clear how this silver man was holding himself up.

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The whole experience was reminiscent of a visit to Avengerland, with John Steed and Mrs Peel investigating a lot of strange goings on featuring an incredible array of eccentric characters.

London Chess Classic: Photo Report (3)

It wasn't just the Classic tournament that was going on. There were lots of other events too, including a strong FIDE Open.

IM Jonathan Hawkins finds the camera

Simon Williams - the 'Ginger GM'

Keith Arkell ponders the best reply to 1 e4

Arianne Caoili

Mark Hebden

A three-minute blitz on the giant set featuring
Stephen Gordon and Lawrence Trent

They had to run to press the clock after each move

The Closed Sicilian has not turned out well for Black

Racing against time

Win for White!

More blitz chess: Dominic Lawson playing Jason Kouchak
Result - draw!

London Chess Classic: Photo Report (2)

A few more snaps from a busy weekend at the 2012 London Chess Classic.

Aronian v Adams

McShane v Polgar

Kramnik v Jones

Anand v Nakamura

Game on

The Reti Opening from Aronian - unexpected

2 b3 was a surprise from Kramnik

Gawain hard at work

Intense struggles

Is Kramnik making progress?

The World Champion watches the British Champion
playing a former World Champion

Judit Polgar on her way to a win

World No.1 Magnus Carlsen joins the commentary team

London Chess Classic: Photo Report (1)

Here are some photos taken during my spell at the 2012 London Chess Classic.

Malcolm Pein announcing the start of the round

Gawain Jones - British Chess Champion

Levon Aronian

Judit Polgar v World Champion Vishy Anand

World Number 1 - Magnus Carlsen

Hikaru Nakamura ponders move two of the Sicilian

England's Number 1 - Michael Adams

Luke McShane

The World Champion

Julian Hodgson and Nigel Short commentating

Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik joins in

Grandmasters Aronian and Jones analysing their drawn game

At the height of the battle

Will Carlsen's piece sacrifice work?

Gawain obliges some autograph hunters as
CHESS editor Richard Palliser looks on

London Chess Classic

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I have just returned after spending a very enjoyable couple of days at the London Chess Classic.

A full report will follow. Meanwhile, those wanting to watch the games online tomorrow on the official website or one of the alternatives should note the earlier starting time of noon.

Water

A very recent trip to Stratford provided further alarming evidence of the current trend for floods.

Our intended river cruise was cancelled due to too much water.

The swans and ducks were happy to extend their territory

It's almost 'a-band-on-ship'

This is supposed to be a park

Dogs enjoyed an extra-long swim

The tips of fence posts betray the depth

It's running the risk of a name change to Stratford in Avon.