English Chess Forum

The ECF Selection Committee has completed the selection of the England teams that will contest the Chess Olympiad to be staged in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, this September.

Open: Nikita Vitiugov, Michael Adams, Gawain Jones, Luke McShane, Daniel Fernandez
Women: Bodhana Sivanandan, Lan Yao, Jovanka Houska, Harriet Hunt, Elmira Mirzoeva

Board orders will be decided by the respective captains, William Watson and Stuart Conquest.

— Malcolm Pein, Director of International Chess
https://www.englishchess.org.uk/england ... -olympiad/

Is that a first call up for Daniel?

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 30, 2026 8:22 pm

Is that a first call up for Daniel?

It's the same team as the 2025 Euros except he has replaced Shreyas
https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1263013 ... 5&SNode=S0

The 2024 Olympiad team had David Howell who has only played a handful of rated games since.
https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr967173. ... 8&SNode=S0

Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 30, 2026 9:05 pm

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 30, 2026 8:22 pm

Is that a first call up for Daniel?

It's the same team as the 2025 Euros except he has replaced Shreyas
https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1263013 ... 5&SNode=S0

The 2024 Olympiad team had David Howell who has only played a handful of rated games since.
https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr967173. ... 8&SNode=S0

Do we know why that is so?

I mean why he has replaced Shreyas.

Though it is an interesting question why Howell hasn't played much lately too.....

Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2026 12:13 am

Though it is an interesting question why Howell hasn't played much lately too.....

I think he is caught up in all the commentary stuff he does and is on record for saying that it has improved his game.

MJMcCready wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 30, 2026 10:51 pm

I mean why he has replaced Shreyas.

Dan is higher rated, just above Matthew Wadsworth FIDE ratings

"Though it is an interesting question why Howell hasn't played much lately too....."

I vaguely recall seeing a Youtube thing with a popular chess-streamer where he said he wasn't really playing at all.

It’s great to see Daniel selected for the team, as he played for Marple in the MCF and Stockport League when he was up here.

I’m also wondering whether Nigel Short is no longer interested in competing for the Olympiad team.

Additionally, I hope Daniel updates his FIDE profile photo on the website.

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2026 7:36 am

MJMcCready wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 30, 2026 10:51 pm

I mean why he has replaced Shreyas.

Dan is higher rated, just above Matthew Wadsworth FIDE ratings

Is there a list that includes inactive players also?

MJMcCready wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2026 11:22 am

Is there a list that includes inactive players also?

Use https://ratings.fide.com/advanced_search.phtml to look for anything you want.

Done, I see GM Sadler is in the number one spot. For those who want to take a look be careful not to confuse year born with rating, as I did with Shreyas Royal!

MJMcCready wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2026 12:22 am

Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2026 12:13 am

Though it is an interesting question why Howell hasn't played much lately too.....

I think he is caught up in all the commentary stuff he does and is on record for saying that it has improved his game.

Maybe he should demonstrate that a bit then

I didnt think he was playing much these days.