39th Olympiad Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 (the chess)

[Justin Hadi]

I think Adams could play Ne4 and c5 here, seems like a plan.

[benedgell]

http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid= ... =en&tmnt=2

Qe6???? stunner.

[Mark Howitt]

Haven't analysed Carlsen's opening moves with a computer, but his first three moves do seem truly childish- and I bet with computer analysis white would get at least an edge from this kind of play. Mickey seems to have played the opening quite safely though, and although he does appear to have a slight edge, Carlsen's position looks ok now.

I guess if we can come out evens across the top two boards we'll win the match- have to see how Gawain does though!

[Mark Howitt]

http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid= ... =en&tmnt=2

Qe6???? stunner.

God these GMs are bad lols, that's worst move I've seen in while though!

[Mark Howitt]

Yeah, now having checked the Rybka analysis, I think Adams should have played 5. Bxh5. That's the move I would have instinctively played- and it's the move I thought the computer would have opted for. Obviously Carlsen will have analysed this variation extensively, and will have found ways for good counterattacking play, but logically I'm sure with accurate play white would have at least an edge. Can't see this opening being a mainstay for him!

[Ola Winfridsson]

Yeah, now having checked the Rybka analysis, I think Adams should have played 5. Bxh5. That's the move I would have instinctively played- and it's the move I thought the computer would have opted for. Obviously Carlsen will have analysed this variation extensively, and will have found ways for good counterattacking play, but logically I'm sure with accurate play white would have at least an edge. Can't see this opening being a mainstay for him!

5.Bxh5 is surely much easier for a computer engine to play than it is for a human being? The bishop pair and an open g file should give Black half-decent practical compensation, not least for a player of Carlsen's calibre. Having said that, the North Sea Defence can hardly be anything other than a surprise weapon at GM level.

[benedgell]

http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid= ... =en&tmnt=2

45 mins used by white on those opening 4 moves. Understandably so.

[Jonathan Rogers]

the other point is that once White has taken on h5 with the queen, Black has ...Nc6 -b4 which gives White some difficult decisions to make. he could play 6 c3 but them his white squares are weaker still.

I seem to recall that Andrew Webster used to play this too, though certainly it will not be seen very often. I love it when super-GMs do this sort of thing, though (cf. Topalov's 4 Nxf7 v Petroff some ten years ago, and various opening choices from our own Nigel Short).

[Maxim Devereaux]

Hmm... a pawn, the bishop pair, the dark squares and coming pressure on b2. I quite like Gawain's exchange sac. Time to see what the machine thinks of it...

[Jonathan Rogers]

I think that Adams has a clear plus, happily. In fact he probably has our best position altogether. Gawain has reasonable compensation, but no more.

[Jon D'Souza-Eva]

I think Adams could play Ne4 and c5 here, seems like a plan.

That looks like a fine idea. I really like Adams' position (after 20.Ne4), maybe England are going to win the match on the top two boards rather than the bottom two!

[Mark Howitt]

Best way to find the 'chess truth' of Carlsen's play is to have two strong comps play one hundred games from the position after white plays Bxh5. I'm pretty sure white would come out on top! Still, Adams does like to play it safe sometimes and didn't want to walk into Carlsen's prep.

[benedgell]

http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid= ... =en&tmnt=1

Very nice win by Mesgen Amanov of Turkmenistan against a guy 120 points higher rated. Think that pawn sac is a pretty decent way to play against the Bb7 QI.

[benedgell]

Looking good for the women's team. Sarah Hegarty is doing well again, and I don't trust the piece sac Ingrid's opponent just went for.

[Ian Kingston]

My engine likes Adams' position after 25.Rg1: +1 or thereabouts.