39th Olympiad Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 (the chess)

[Alex Holowczak]

Furthermore on the Yemen story, I can't find a single article that gives the correct location of the tournament. They nearly always go for Belarus. It's clearly nowhere near Belarus...

[benedgell]

Gotta love Vladimir Krammnik. 12 moves in and he goes for the repetition.

[Alex Holowczak]

Gotta love Vladimir Krammnik. 12 moves in and he goes for the repetition.

Which Caruana refused! I think Italy realise Caruana needs to win for them to have any chance whatsoever in this match.

Anyone have an opinion on Gawain's b5? Presumably there's a very good reason why white can't play Nxb5, but it isn't immediately obvious (to me).

[benedgell]

I would guess that after 12.Nxb5 either 12...Rb8 or 12...Nb4, with pressure down the c+b files and an edge in development gives good comp. Anyway his opponent refused the pawn.

[Jonathan Rogers]

generally, if one cannot see the reason, one should take and find out ... but I wonder whether Black could have played 12.Nxb5 Nb4 13.Nc3 Ba4!?! (an unusual tactic which I have not seen before)

[benedgell]

Short's position looks pretty decent already. 17...d3 looks good.

[Roger de Coverly]

Anyone have an opinion on Gawain's b5? Presumably there's a very good reason why white can't play Nxb5, but it isn't immediately obvious (to me).

It's a fairly normal punt in Dragons and with colours reversed, the English. As we now see, it provoked a defensive response. I expect there are many possible continuations after Nxb5. A couple of thoughts - it makes 0-0-0 more risky. Also after say Rb8, knight (b5) moves, then regaining the pawn on b2 may be possible later.

It (.. b5) is the sort of move which a computer engine will often evaluate as not changing the position a great deal - even though it makes the choice of moves more difficult.

[Alex Holowczak]

OK then, next question! What's Adams up to with that pawn sacrifice? I can't see white's compensation for the pawn other than the fact Black's King is in the middle and can't castle very quickly. White has such poor development though, I can't see how he can take advantage of that.

[Roger de Coverly]

OK then, next question! What's Adams up to with that pawn sacrifice? I can't see white's compensation for the pawn other than the fact Black's King is in the middle and can't castle very quickly.

I suspect you've nailed it - King trapped in the middle. The Knight on e7 and Bishop on f8 are stuck as well.

White has such poor development though, I can't see how he can take advantage of that.

The Knight from b1 has a marvellous square on c4, the Bishop from c1 can go to g5 with threats. Suddenly White's pieces rush out and there's not a lot Black can do about it.

I'd be more worried about Luke's position. Black has played all the normal Dragon moves and I'm not sure about White - the Bishop on h4 looks out of place in particular.

(edit) I thought Black had 13 .. Nc4. If he needs to play defensive moves like 13 .. Re8 then Luke's plans are probably working.

[Leonard Barden]

OK then, next question! What's Adams up to with that pawn sacrifice? I can't see white's compensation for the pawn other than the fact Black's King is in the middle and can't castle very quickly.

I suspect you've nailed it - King trapped in the middle. The Knight on e7 and Bishop on f8 are stuck as well.

White has such poor development though, I can't see how he can take advantage of that.

The Knight from b1 has a marvellous square on c4, the Bishop from c1 can go to g5 with threats. Suddenly White's pieces rush out and there's not a lot Black can do about it.

I'd be more worried about Luke's position. Black has played all the normal Dragon moves and I'm not sure about White - the Bishop on h4 looks out of place in particular.

The computer didn't like Adams's d4-d5, preferring dxc5 better for White, and also gave the thumbs down to Nbd2, preferring cxd5. Black now has to find dxc4 Qe2 c3.

[David Brock]

Luke losing and Gawain holding his own if not better so likely outcome is 3-1

[Matthew Turner]

The Womens match all wrests on Sarah's game. She is a pawn up and it looks like she should have a good chance to me.

[David Brock]

well done Gawain 3-1 now and good result shame about Lukes game but say la vie

[Alex Holowczak]

England drew with Venezuela; presumably the last white move was just playing about...

[Gareth Harley-Yeo]

Vietnam beat Uzbekistan...