FIDE Online Olympiad 22 July to 30 August 2020

[Paul Cooksey]

Is Potkin the babysitter if they need Grischuk and Lagno to play in the same match?

[John Moore]

Team Russia ... (gulp)

There are one or two faces I don't recognise although I suppose I should. Anyone feel up to providing a key.

[NickFaulks]

Grischuk's the one who looks a wreck, if that helps.

[John Moore]

Thanks Nick - I did know Grischuk.

[Mick Norris]

Team Russia ... (gulp)

There are one or two faces I don't recognise although I suppose I should. Anyone feel up to providing a key.

face photos any help?

[Paul Cooksey]

I think that is probably a photo from the European teams last year. Many of the same players, but for example the tall woman is Olga Girya who was in that event but not this one.

[John Moore]

Team Russia ... (gulp)

There are one or two faces I don't recognise although I suppose I should. Anyone feel up to providing a key.

face photos any help?

Very good. Thanks a lot Mick.

[Jonathan Rogers]

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.

a generous and erroneous assumption!

I was think rather that Aronian may or may not be in the mood for playing - not sure that he has played since the tragic death of his wife. Either way, I think we are agreed they are second favourites, the question is just whether they are closer to Russia than to the chasing pack.

[Chris Rice]

I think that is probably a photo from the European teams last year. Many of the same players, but for example the tall woman is Olga Girya who was in that event but not this one.

Yes sorry about that, the Chess Federation of Russia put the photo out yesterday and then started having to deal with complaints regarding social distancing and lack of masks! So they later had to say the photo was taken in 2019. Guess its really difficult to get a team photo these days.

[Mick Norris]

I was think rather that Aronian may or may not be in the mood for playing - not sure that he has played since the tragic death of his wife.

He played in June at the St Louis Clutch Chess Champions Showdown, beating Grischuk in the quarter final before losing to Carlsen in the semi final

[Paul Cooksey]

Aronian issued a statement on how he is trying to move on with his life on Facebook, reported more or less word for word here: https://en.armradio.am/2020/08/07/levon ... -to-chess/

[John Moore]

When are England's games on today, please.

[LawrenceCooper]

When are England's games on today, please.

I received an e-mail from Malcolm earlier this week which stated 3pm, 4pm and 5pm each day.

[Paul Cooksey]

The round times are on the standing pages: https://olymp-results.fide.com/group/25

[John Moore]

Thanks, Loz and Paul.