FIDE Online Olympiad 22 July to 30 August 2020

[Paul Cooksey]

Again top 3 go on; Russia and Armenia are likely to be too good. But we can hope to compete with the others.

[Mick Norris]

Group winners straight to the quarter finals on Friday; second and third go into the preliminary round playoff on Thursday

[LawrenceCooper]

Obviously the format does not play to England's strengths, which as we know, is based on a sizeable number of world class male players in their thirties and forties, but not much else.

Whilst I've heard this view often enough it's worth mentioning that Harriet & Jovanka's rating have consistently seen them in the world's top 100 at positions not totally different to their male counterparts. I certainly don't see them belonging to a "not much else" category.

[Chris Rice]

Group winners straight to the quarter finals on Friday; second and third go into the preliminary round playoff on Thursday

As there is a reasonable chance we will finish third in Pool C I looked up on the schedule who we would be likely to play in the preliminary round Duel IV and it would be the runner up in Pool D which is possibly going to be USA or Poland.

[Mick Norris]

Reaching the preliminary round is a top 12 placing, which would be a very good result

[Jonathan Rogers]

Obviously the format does not play to England's strengths, which as we know, is based on a sizeable number of world class male players in their thirties and forties, but not much else.

Whilst I've heard this view often enough it's worth mentioning that Harriet & Jovanka's rating have consistently seen them in the world's top 100 at positions not totally different to their male counterparts. I certainly don't see them belonging to a "not much else" category.

Yes, we should be careful to give credit where it is due. "Not much else" should have been worded better. But from an England point of view, we would still prefer the traditional all male olympiad, because

a) we only have Harriet and Jovanka near the womens' top 100, and so no back up if one is off form: by contrast there are five top male players, and would be six if we included Short
b) the men mostly play full-time, often against comparable opposition and have experience in elite events. They are thus also more likely to play to their strengths in any given event

Anyway, what I said was meant to suitably lower expectations overall. I think it possible that the team will make the play-offs in the first division, but we should appreciate that we cannot hold the team to the standards reached in recent team events, and tat such qualification would itself be an impressive result. Looking at our group, Russia is certain, Armenia likely but far from certain, and Turkey, Croatia and Bulgaria can surely compete with us under this format - in fact making results in the womens' games may well be key against Turkey and Bulgaria.

[Matt Bridgeman]

It would be interesting to know if the Olympiad players prefer the mixed format? If it returns to an over the board long play format, having a mandatory junior/female/senior mixed team might prove better for younger player development. In English woman's chess, I'd think Toma is a match for Harriet Hunt as she's active and quite underrated.

[David Sedgwick]

Looking at our group, Russia is certain, Armenia likely but far from certain, and Turkey, Croatia and Bulgaria can surely compete with us under this format - in fact making results in the womens' games may well be key against Turkey and Bulgaria.

We play Turkey first, Croatia second and Bulgaria last. So we my know our fate soon enough, or it may be a nail biting finish.

[LawrenceCooper]

Looking at our group, Russia is certain, Armenia likely but far from certain, and Turkey, Croatia and Bulgaria can surely compete with us under this format - in fact making results in the womens' games may well be key against Turkey and Bulgaria.

We play Turkey first, Croatia second and Bulgaria last. So we my know our fate soon enough, or it may be a nail biting finish.

I would add Romania to the list of teams very capable of qualifying.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Yes, I forgot Romania, though I wonder, didn't they lose Nisipeanu? (I looked it up a change, and yes, Germany since 2014). But all right, under this format that is not decisive.

Generally, I wonder whether quite a few countries may miss their best (male) players. Hungary did (I think?), and I somehow I wouldn't bet the house on Topalov leading Bulgaria.

[David Sedgwick]

We play Turkey first, Croatia second and Bulgaria last. So we my know our fate soon enough, or it may be a nail biting finish.

I would add Romania to the list of teams very capable of qualifying.

We play Turkey first, Croatia second, Romania second to last and Bulgaria last. So we my know our fate soon enough, or it may be a nail biting finish.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Nail biter it is, then. Only Russia could conceivably be sure of qualification by the end of round seven. Probably England will be one of five or six teams still in contention, and the relevance of their previous results will be that they determine exactly what more must be done.

[Mick Norris]

Yes, I forgot Romania, though I wonder, didn't they lose Nisipeanu? (I looked it up a change, and yes, Germany since 2014). But all right, under this format that is not decisive.

Generally, I wonder whether quite a few countries may miss their best (male) players. Hungary did (I think?), and I somehow I wouldn't bet the house on Topalov leading Bulgaria.

Bulgaria won all their matches in Div 2, they have Stefanova, who scored 6.5/7, Radeva 5/5 and Salimova 6/7, plus Delchev

Hungary are led by Erdos & Banusz

Romania have the familiar faces of Lupulescu & Parligras, IMs Bulmaga & Peptan, with Bogdan-Daniel Deac 4/4 on board 5

Turkey have Ekaterina Atalik, and look solid

Croatia have Saric & Bosiocic, and only used 9 players in Div 2

England have David Howell with 4/4 and Dagne Ciuksyte on 3/3

Armenia have Aronian, Sargissian, Elina Danielian and Lilit Mkrtchian

Russia have Dubov, Artemiev, Kosteniuk, Gunina as reserves!

[Paul Cooksey]

Looking at our group, Russia is certain, Armenia likely but far from certain,...

I'm going to assume that Jonathan looked at the rapid ratings on the site without noticing they don't seem to play much FIDE rated rapid in Armenia. Several of their players 100 points underrated and their weak link, a 2278 junior, is 2600+ GM Martirosyan. Judging by his chess.com performances, he isn't going to struggle if moving a mouse quickly is needed either.

Tough group, but I am looking forward to it kicking off.

[Chris Rice]

Team Russia ... (gulp)