England teams for 2011 European Team Championship

[Mick Norris]

Some permutations for tomorrow:

(1) If either of Armenia or Germany win, they are the champions.

(2) If Germany and Armenia draw, then Azerbaijan will have to beat Romania 4-0 or 3.5-0.5 to be champions. They might also be able to win 3-1 and be champions, but I don't know what tie-breaker is after gamepoints. Azerbaijan seem to be ahead of Armenia and Germany on the other tiebreakers shown in the standings at the moment, so a 3-1 win may be enough.

(3) Bulgaria cannot be champions. If they won 4-0 to get to 14/22.5, then (1) rules them out, and if Germany and Armenia draw, then Armenia will get to 14/23, which is still ahead of Bulgaria.

Azerbaijan won their match against Armenia, isn't that the tiebreak after match and game points?

[Michael Jones]

Starting with Mickey's chance of a board prize, we have the current position here:
http://www.chess-results.com/tnr57856.a ... ES&flag=30

Aronian has black against (presumably) Naiditsch, who beat Radjabov today
Topalov has black against (presumably) Leko

Chances for 2 draws there

Mickey has white against (presumably) Ivanchuk who was rested today (played 6 drawn 6) - given Ivanchuk's 2775 rating, a win for Mickey should do it

So, yes, I think it is a good draw

The other point is that the team isn't going to finish in a brilliant position, but a win (or draw) against Ukraine when added to the draw against Armenia (particularly if they win the event) would be good compensation, and whoever Loz picks gets to play a strong opponent in the last round, which is good experience

Adams beat Ivanchuk with white at the same event four years ago, although I may be tempting fate by mentioning that!

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1478875

[Mick Norris]

1.1 GM Naiditsch Arkadij 2712 - GM Aronian Levon 2802

3.1 GM Leko Peter 2720 - GM Topalov Veselin 2768

Bo. 8 England Rtg - 2 Ukraine Rtg
9.1 GM Adams Michael 2734 - GM Ivanchuk Vassily 2775
9.2 GM Short Nigel D 2698 - GM Eljanov Pavel 2691
9.3 GM Jones Gawain C B 2635 - GM Moiseenko Alexander 2715
9.4 GM Pert Nicholas 2563 - GM Efimenko Zahar 2702

Interesting they have dropped Pono after he won yesterday

[Mick Norris]

Bo. 13 Netherlands Rtg - 22 England Rtg
9.1 GM Peng Zhaoqin 2379 - IM Houska Jovanka 2415
9.2 IM Lanchava Tea 2320 - WFM Yurenok Maria S 2106
9.3 WIM Bensdorp Marlies 2242 - WFM Bhatia Kanwal K 2087
9.4 WIM Haast Anne 2268 - WFM Hegarty Sarah N 2060

Interesting selection

http://www.chess-results.com/tnr57855.a ... ES&flag=30

[David Sedgwick]

I'd just like to remind everyone that play today starts at 1100 GMT.

[Ola Winfridsson]

We literally have not had the luck of the draw in the open event

Is the Ukraine really a bad draw, considering the tournament they've had?

I'm not sure that's the right question.

Is Ukraine a bad draw, relative to the other teams on the scoregroup we could have drawn? Wouldn't you rather have played Switzerland or Montenegro than an out-of-form Ukraine?

No. At this point in time, the Ukraine clearly are not playing to a significantly higher standard than Montenegro or Switzerland (although they've done it in the past and obviously can be expected to do it in future). Furthermore, the Ukraine more likely than not, are probably dejected and demotivated, whereas both Switzerland and Montenegro are doing better than expected, and can be expected to be up for it. I consider today's round a perfect opportunity for England to finish on a high.

[LozCooper]

I'd just like to remind everyone that play today starts at 1100 GMT.

Thanks, I'll remind the players

http://www.englishchess.org.uk/ for updates from rounds 7 and 8.

[Sean Hewitt]

Oh belive you me I have plenty to write about!

Believe

Pedant. The way Mark's spelling gets highlighted, you'd think he had advertised his services as a proof reader or something.

[Alex Holowczak]

I'd just like to remind everyone that play today starts at 1100 GMT.

In many ways, this is a pity. I'd hope that play would be planned to start at 1102 GMT.

[Sabrina Chevannes]

Nice point Alex. I totally agree

[AustinElliott]

I'd just like to remind everyone that play today starts at 1100 GMT.

In many ways, this is a pity. I'd hope that play would be planned to start at 1102 GMT.

Of course, not everyone uses the WW1 Armistice Day as a day of remembrance, so nations that do are likely in a small minority in the competition.

Anyway, easy enough for the England (and other UK) players to spend two minutes on the clock observing the 2 min silence, should they wish to, and perhaps even to explain it to opponents. It is as a personal gesture that it carries real meaning, IMO.

[Ola Winfridsson]

I'd just like to remind everyone that play today starts at 1100 GMT.

In many ways, this is a pity. I'd hope that play would be planned to start at 1102 GMT.

Of course, not everyone uses the WW1 Armistice Day as a day of remembrance, so nations that do are likely in a small minority in the competition.

Anyway, easy enough for the England (and other UK) players to spend two minutes on the clock observing the 2 min silence, should they wish to, and perhaps even to explain it to opponents. It is as a personal gesture that it carries real meaning, IMO.

Hear, hear! (No pun intended!)

[Alex McFarlane]

Whilst the start time is 11am here it is 1pm local time.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Looking here:

http://euro2011.chessdom.com/board-list ... n-section/

Gawain is fourth in the rankings for board 4. Not sure if a win would be enough to see him get a board prize. Maybe someone can work that out (and the board one permutations as well).

[Phil Ramsey]

I notice that Gawain has drawn already. I guess if the bottom two boards can draw then we have a slim chance of getting something.

It is a shame that Howell hasn't been given a chance to redeem himself. Why not play him yesterday so he could have an easy win and then rest him today if necessary. Seems a shame for him to have to finish on such a low.