European Chess Championship

[John Saunders]

It looks like the zero default time rule may have claimed another victim. Vallejo Pons-Laznicka, Round 2, Euro team ch, went 1 e4 1-0. I hope the Czech GM (if he ever did turn up) had his credit card* handy. Are arbiters now equipped with swipe card ticket machines? Imagine if all four boards were late... "that will be 2,000 euros, please - do you want to pay for all four boards or do you wish to be billed separately?" If the game is defaulted in an EU country, is VAT payable as well?

I'm just guessing. I suppose it could just as easily have been a mobile phone ring. So many ways to lose chess games these days: when Larsen said "there is no mate in modern chess", he probably didn't realise just how prophetic his words were.

* alternatively, we can recycle Tartakower's old joke (and put it into the arbiter's mouth): "I've only two words for you: 'cheque, mate'".

J T - I was only joshing Roger about cymrophobia (and he was probably only trying to wind me up). We've known each other for more than 40 years. But I agree with you as regards Ben's comments about Germans. Is there a moderator in the house?

[Ben Purton]

I am allowed my view on the validity of her place in team due to questionable nationality.

[Carl Hibbard]

Is there a moderator in the house?

As always there is, however I was waiting for Ben to clarify his statements further before doing anything

[Carl Hibbard]

I am allowed my view on the validity of her place in team due to questionable nationality.

Is however your signature that follows your comments questionable?

[Ben Purton]

I just don't like the way we import so much foreign talent, its bad for the younger women in england like my better half and Sabrina et al. I am allowed that view, it is a forum after all. People seem think I have hate for Germany, I don't. I dislike players with no direct involvement in chess in England, bar the odd team match and playing nationally. I can't see how I somehow then get grouped with Ron Atkinson and Nick Griffin.

[Ben Purton]

The Signature is meant as a joke regarding a song. I can change that , but the comments above I don't.

[Alex Holowczak]

To be fair, Ben is entitled to his view, in the same way that we're entitled to disagree with it. It was on-topic, after all.

[J T Melsom]

My substantive response to Ben got lost in the ether, or flurry of messages posted at about the same time. Ben has singled out a representative of the England team, and referred to her as German. He may wish to argue that this is simply stating fact and then argue the merits of selection and eligibility, but it is unedifying in my view for him to use this forum to single out an individual in this way. and the use of the word 'carp' in his initial response is a sign of poor manners. But then again the England cricket team has become over reliant on South Africans

[Carl Hibbard]

My substantive response to Ben got lost in the ether, or flurry of messages posted at about the same time.

What was lost, that would concern me?

[Ben Purton]

I don't dislike the person who i am referring to , just the selection Jonathan. You tried to compare it to hating people for the colour of their skin... Which I would never ever do.

[Ben Purton]

Does anyone know the results from today, my chess results page isnt working fully! , it shows the results of the matches in the overview but no form of results, I think we lost V azeri which is a shame I thought we would win

[James Coleman]

Reasonable showing from England today, which has not yet concluded. Williams unfortunately but unsurprisingly lost with Black to Mamedjarov but McShane had an excellent draw also as Black vs Gashimov.

In the two games left Conquest is currently clearly better vs a 2666 while Adams is struggling to hold a much worse ending against Radjabov after a very bad opening blunder.

[Alex Holowczak]

Adams just lost on board 1, so a loss is guaranteed.

[Mark Howitt]

I think 1.5-2.5 is quite a good result- would have taken that before the match.

[Richard Bates]

I think 1.5-2.5 is quite a good result- would have taken that before the match.

Game points are virtually meaningless. Given there were only three outcomes - win, draw or loss - a team isn't going to be very successful if they are happy with the latter.

It's as if someone were playing in an individual tournament game against a stronger player and claimed they were 'happy' with making it to move 40 (and losing).