39th Olympiad Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 (the chess)

[Ola Winfridsson]

well well, you don't expect Spain to pull off results like that * - and especially not when Shirov loses! A fantastic game by the Spanish board three, though, showing the dangers of the Russian "draw with Black" strategy, which turns the contest into a two-game match (even though both games are with white).


* except against England

Which, considering the fact they're likely to be higher rated on all boards in almost every single match, is baffling in terms of match tactics. As Roger de Coverley pointed out a day or two ago, one game can easily turn a four game match completely, so why not keep the front as wide as possible for as long as necessary to ensure the match is going the right way, i.e. the points are clocking up on the board?

[benedgell]

[quote="Michael Jones"]Without having done any calculations, I guess that means that Gawain will get the board prize if and only if he wins and Bartel and Grandelius don't.[quote]

Bartel has drawn his game, and not sure if Grandelius is any better.

http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1001110114

is his game.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Glad to see the match is still going. I managed to fall asleep...

[Jonathan Rogers]

I would guess that Hungary's win enables them to pip Israel for bronze on S-B.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Short getting crushed. Not nice

Indeed. I just played through the games from the top two boards, and while the board one game (Adams-Navara) was a bit over my head, the Laznicka-Short game was instructive if you haven't seen the minor pieces side win against the queen like that before. But must have been horrible for Short defending it (I presuming like others here that Short resigned what looks like the final position where the c-pawn can't be stopped).

[Christopher Kreuzer]

My analysis engine informs me that there was a big blunder on move 24 of David Howell's game. 24 b4? could have been answered by 24...Qb7 when Black has the dual threat of ...Bh1/...Qg2 mate plus a discovered threat on White's queen - there wasn't much to be done.

Nice, and although it looks easy to see in hindsight, probably not that easy to find over the board.

[Ola Winfridsson]

Without having done any calculations, I guess that means that Gawain will get the board prize if and only if he wins and Bartel and Grandelius don't.

Bartel has drawn his game, and not sure if Grandelius is any better.

http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1001110114

is his game.

However, it's possible that Grandelius' opponent may be forced to try to win in order to save the match (which would give Grandelius chances).

[benedgell]

Gawain's drawn

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Gawain's drawn

It looked like that might happen, but must have been agonising for him anyway, especially as it means England can't win the match either now.

[Ola Winfridsson]

Without having done any calculations, I guess that means that Gawain will get the board prize if and only if he wins and Bartel and Grandelius don't.

Bartel has drawn his game, and not sure if Grandelius is any better.

http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1001110114

is his game.

However, it's possible that Grandelius' opponent may be forced to try to win in order to save the match (which would give Grandelius chances). Having said that, Stupak is the one with any genuine chances in that endgame. White's got very bad pawns and his king poorly placed.

[benedgell]

I would guess that Hungary's win enables them to pip Israel for bronze on S-B.

Playchess (or at least the person in charge of showing all the games) fancies Israel's chances on the tiebreak.

[Ola Winfridsson]

Gawain's drawn

It looked like that might happen, but must have been agonising for him anyway, especially as it means England can't win the match either now.

Considering the way the match developed 2-2 would be a good result. For quite some time 1-3, or even a ½-3½ drubbing, was on the cards!

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Not an England game, but a nice combination here:

http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1001110264

Might only lead to a perpetual, though.

I was wrong. The game ended with more sacrifices and if it was all sound, it looks like a very impressive game!

[benedgell]

Gotta like David's chances of saving the match.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Gawain's drawn

It looked like that might happen, but must have been agonising for him anyway, especially as it means England can't win the match either now.

Considering the way the match developed 2-2 would be a good result. For quite some time 1-3, or even a ½-3½ drubbing, was on the cards!

I suppose (and looking at the pawn structure towards the end of Jones's game, I can see now why it is drawn). Is Howell still winning?