English Chess Forum

Am I right that this is taking place at the moment? Four pools in division one, and England in Pool D of Division 1. Why is this not generating much interest?

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021-fi ... n-1-pool-d

Chris

Can you give me some reasons to be specifically interested in this event, and explain why even if my interest is drawn I might then want to comment on it?

When the 'real' in-person Chess Olympiad takes place, that seems to generate a lot of interest. I was wondering if the online ones are considered less prestigious or if I am mistaken in that impression (there appear to be some very good games being played)?

Well some people do have limited interest in on-line chess and people don't post on everything. Some elite OTB events have also passed without comment. Any topic needs an advocate or author to get discussion going. Noting the absence of a thread doesn't sell it to me if I'm honest.

Isn't it not just online, but rapid chess?

In which case it perhaps rather blurs into all the similar events we have seen in the last 18 months.

The England team had WiFi issues yesterday;
https://twitter.com/TelegraphChess/stat ... 0144720898

Oh, it is rapid chess? <loses interest>

Christopher Kreuzer wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 09, 2021 6:19 pm

Oh, it is rapid chess?

The time control for this event will be 15 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move.

On the move 60 benchmark, that's a 20 minute game, so fast by OTB rapid standards.

Christopher Kreuzer wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 09, 2021 5:27 pm

Am I right that this is taking place at the moment? Four pools in division one, and England in Pool D of Division 1. Why is this not generating much interest?

There is an existing thread for this, albeit with a title that's becoming more and more inappropriate as the matches are played.

Thank you. I had thought that was only about the success of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I see now that it carried on to cover the current matches. Sort of.

Copying over here what Leonard Barden said over there:

"England play in the top division on 8-10 September, with the target a place in the final knock-out stages. However, there is an issue: David Howell and Jovanka Houska are part of the commentary team for Norway Chess 2021 which starts (with both Carlsen and Nepo playing) on 7 September."

Has this actually been an issue or not?

So England currently ninth in Pool D, with results here:

https://olymp-results2021.fide.com/group/22

Matches over six boards. One draw and four losses so far.

Lost to Peru. Drew with Cuba. Lost to Poland and then USA and then Canada.

Why did England lose 5-1 to Canada?

Remaining matches: Brazil, Netherlands, Colombia, Turkey.

And is the event a combined male-female-junior one?

I see now, I should have read up about it!

Each team will consist of six players, in a mixed format with a minimum of three female players and two junior players.
Specifically, each team must include:
- at least 2 women
- at least 1 player U-20 (born in 2001 or later)
- at least 1 girl U-20 (born in 2001 or later)

That is actually quite interesting. Does it show that England currently lack strength in depth compared to other countries in terms of juniors and female players?

EDIT: I vaguely remember now that the first event of this sort took place last year (I was not following chess events that closely at that time, I don't think), and that generated a 19-page thread on this forum at the time. Is it fair to say that interest is less this time round? And were there teething problems last time and have those been ironed out this time round?

England lost to Brazil.

After 6 of the 9 rounds of the Pool stage (2 best teams of each pool advance to Stage 2 which is the Quarter-Finals):

- Kazakhstan and China lead Pool A, with Iran close behind.
- India and Hungary look to be heading for the top two spots in Pool B.
- Looks like Russia and Ukraine will qualify from Pool C.
- And Pool D has the USA on maximum points, with the clash between Canada and Poland to decide 2nd spot.

Russia and Kazakhstan also on maximum points.

Russia, USA, India, China, all look strong.

Kazakhstan beat China. Hungary have not yet played India (potential heavyweight clash).

Some countries underperforming.

Wonder if this is the future of team chess, mixing things up like this?

Ok, if we're now posting on this thread

chess.com day 1 report, with part of the Admas-Xiong game which is worth a look

Underdog Canada scored another fantastic win, 5-1 versus England. The Brits, despite having so many legendary players on their team, have not been doing well at all this tournament and unexpectedly found themselves in last place, which is something very few would have predicted before the event.

Div 1 day 3 report

Kazakhstan, China, India, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, USA, and Poland qualified for the playoffs that will take place next week, Sep 13-15

Thanks, Mick. Will be interesting to see who ends up winning the event.

EDIT: Does anyone know why the chess.com reporter kept referring to medals being won at the pool stage (i.e. gold, silver and bronze)? As far as I am aware, those finishing third in the pools stages got nothing, and the only 'prize' was the top two advancing to the quarterfinals, or do I have that wrong, were there medals for the pool stages?