39th Olympiad Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 (the chess)

[Alex Holowczak]

Both the Counties Competition and the National Club could potentially have evolved into the 4NCL. There are a number of reasons why this didn't happen, the obsession with complex eligibility frameworks amongst them.

I don't think the Counties could, because the ECF only runs half of it, so it wouldn't really work. The National Club would have been perfect to evolve into the 4NCL though.

[Ola Winfridsson]

Please tell me that Ivanchuck's opening isn't theory.
http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid= ... 011&tmnt=1

White's 4th took them out of the known universe.

It takes away Bb4, which tends to be one of the usual counters to the Fantasy Variation. I'm sure it's perfectly fine.

[Roger de Coverly]

I don't think the Counties could, because the ECF only runs half of it, so it wouldn't really work.

The ECF either takes over or abolishes the regional stages or has the unions run them on its behalf. The key step (which would have never happened) would have been to make the eligibility as open as the 4NCL.

It's not really relevant to the Olympiad except to observe that the second place finishes of the 1980s well pre-date the 4NCL.

[Ola Winfridsson]

As regards England's defeat today, I don't think there's ever a reason to expect easy wins against former Soviet Republics even if you outrate them as a team. We're talking about players with a very thorough "chess schooling".

[Carl Hibbard]

The Ivanchuck game is slightly "different" today!!

[Roger de Coverly]

The Ivanchuck game is slightly "different" today!!

I enjoyed his beginner's development of the QR. First he played a4 and then followed it up a few moves later with Ra3.

[John Moore]

So England-Germany tomorrow on table 15. Germany, of course, are nowhere near as strong as they might be, so let's be hopeful.

Notice also on table 13 (2 up from England) is Ireland- Colombia. Note for Mr Kelly's benefit, Colombia have a GM on board 1 who has played all of the games so far.

I can't resist mentioning that Australia are playing the Czech Republic on table 12 and Iran are on table 9 playing Cuba.

[John Moore]

Perhaps Mark H might, for once, resist telling Loz who to play.

[Mick Norris]

I wonder if either of our top 2 would like a day off? I'm sure Loz isn't bothered about advice posted here!

The Women's team are playing Brazil, so it seems more like football than chess tomorrow

[John Moore]

I wonder if either of our top 2 would like a day off? I'm sure Loz isn't bothered about advice posted here!

The Women's team are playing Brazil, so it seems more like football than chess tomorrow

I am also sure that Loz isn't bothered. But I just get bored with the general - oh we outgrade them by 50 points a board so we should win rubbish

[Mark Howitt]

Sorry 'Mark H' will still have his opinion.

I don't think there's any reason why we can't play our top four for the remaining games at all. The selection experiment failed today. Blunt but true.

Obviously the selector makes his decisions- it's only after the games are played and the results come in that we can evaluate the impact of them.

If people got tired after working for four days at once then the economy would be in an even worse state than it is now! Nothing would be achieved by anybody in any field if they limited themselves to this. And chess players would be able to play in hardly any tournaments- because there aren't many/any which have five games in five days, rest day, five games in five days, rest day, one game.

[John Moore]

Hi Mark I called you Mark H to identify you - no other reason

[Mark Howitt]

I'm not offended by that, or the fact that you may disagree with my opinion. Everyone should say what they feel- and I'm quite a provocative writer anyway, on purpose!

[Matthew Peat]

What I find curious about the English team is their inconsistency not only as a team but as players.

Short's form has for some years now been unpredictable but both McShane, Howell and Adams came into this event on the back of excellent summers with McShane in particular looking destined to make the move towards 2700. However all three have played well below themselves (maybe a bit harsh on Adams even ignoring the Carlsen game).

Its all a bit reminiscent of a recent football tournament.....

[Nick Thomas]

I wonder if either of our top 2 would like a day off? I'm sure Loz isn't bothered about advice posted here!

The Women's team are playing Brazil, so it seems more like football than chess tomorrow

I am also sure that Loz isn't bothered. But I just get bored with the general - oh we outgrade them by 50 points a board so we should win rubbish

I quite agree with this!

What I find curious about the English team is their inconsistency not only as a team but as players.

Short's form has for some years now been unpredictable but both McShane, Howell and Adams came into this event on the back of excellent summers with McShane in particular looking destined to make the move towards 2700. However all three have played well below themselves (maybe a bit harsh on Adams even ignoring the Carlsen game).

Its all a bit reminiscent of a recent football tournament.....

I don't find this curious at all. In my opinion it's perfectly normal.