English Chess Forum

This event begins tomorrow with plenty of English participation including two of my club colleagues.

https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1396652 ... O&SNode=S0

The playing conditions look rather cramped with little free space between boards on a table and rows of tables too close together - see Petra Nunn in the second photo in the report for example.

Shouldn't FIDE be requiring better playing conditions than this?

"Shouldn't FIDE be requiring better playing conditions than this?"

I think the organizers have made the common mistake of thinking it looks OK, before anyone sits down. Truly awful.

Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 21, 2026 8:21 am

"Shouldn't FIDE be requiring better playing conditions than this?"

I think the organizers have made the common mistake of thinking it looks OK, before anyone sits down. Truly awful.

I just hope that there isn't a repeat of the food poisoning that occurred at the European Club Cup in 2023.

No comments yet on the actual games. It seems to me that England dodged a bullet yesterday.

Danny won a fantastic game, but of the three draws Mark's Tromp never made any progress and Nigel was living on the edge for much of the time - I do know that he plays that way! Mickey must have been relieved when his opponent went into a draw by repetition when the obvious move 38...Rf1 appears to win pretty easily.

Anyway, it's match points and a win is a win, so on to the third round.

Funny. I always thought Danny Gormally was younger than me. Turns out he is a year older than me. That means, *gulp*, I am eligible to play for the England Over-50 teams next year. I will wait for the knock on the door...

Another narrow victory yesterday, although this time without any scares. Win by Emms and three relatively uneventful draws, so retaining a maximum score into round four.

Kazakhstan look dangerous, a win from Mickey would be timely.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 22, 2026 3:16 pm

Another narrow victory yesterday, although this time without any scares. Win by Emms and three relatively uneventful draws, so retaining a maximum score into round four.

Kazakhstan look dangerous, a win from Mickey would be timely.

Board 3 looks more likely at the moment.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 22, 2026 3:16 pm

Kazakhstan look dangerous, a win from Mickey would be timely.

Unfortunately I think he has blundered.

Jon D'Souza-Eva wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 22, 2026 5:10 pm

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 22, 2026 3:16 pm

Kazakhstan look dangerous, a win from Mickey would be timely.

Unfortunately I think he has blundered.

Thankfully John on board 4 found a winning tactic on move 41 to limit the damage match wise.

LawrenceCooper wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 22, 2026 5:57 pm

Jon D'Souza-Eva wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 22, 2026 5:10 pm

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 22, 2026 3:16 pm

Kazakhstan look dangerous, a win from Mickey would be timely.

Unfortunately I think he has blundered.

Thankfully John on board 4 found a winning tactic on move 41 to limit the damage match wise.

2-2 and USA tomorrow.

The 65+ play Israel

I had a nice day at Paignton zoo today, having returned last week from scoring 9/9 at Binz Senior.
This was my 4th 50+ tournament of the year, having previously scored 8/9 at Marienbad, 7/7 in Dublin and 7/7 at the Isle of Wight.
Apologies for the blatant bragging, but I doubt you'll see these results in the UK chess media.

I guess there's something about senior chess which fits in quite nicely with my playing style.

Was that two draws in Marienbad? 30 wins?

Standings after round 5

England 1 in 7th, England 2 behind England 3, England women also with work to do

65+

England 1 in 5th after 2 drawn matches, very close at the top though

Pity Keith's not playing, although Paignton Zoo sounds like a good option