European Team Championship 13-22 November 2015

[Mick Norris]

Interesting that they are playing in the venue where the 1972 Fischer-Spassky match was held!

They have the chess table from the match there on the stage I gather

[Mick Norris]

- the England order particularly Howell & McShane

I don't think board orders are confirmed until the captain's meeting.

That's correct, it does keep the other teams guessing, I think that our women's order may be the one that will be used but the open team will definitely be different with McShane/Howell on 2/3 and Short/Jones 4/5 but not necessarily that way around.

I see we have gone for Adams, Howell, McShane, Short, Jones

Hungary still have Leko and Rapport on 4&5 which is interesting - and Judit Polgar as captain

[LawrenceCooper]

I see we have gone for Adams, Howell, McShane, Short, Jones

Hungary still have Leko and Rapport on 4&5 which is interesting - and Judit Polgar as captain

The captain's meeting is tonight so there's still time for some musical chairs

[MartinCarpenter]

Will be a bit surprised if Leko stays on 4. Rapport on 4/5 sure but why would anyone go out of their way to put Leko on a low board?

[Mick Norris]

I see we have gone for Adams, Howell, McShane, Short, Jones

Hungary still have Leko and Rapport on 4&5 which is interesting - and Judit Polgar as captain

The captain's meeting is tonight so there's still time for some musical chairs

Indeed, Hungary now have Leko and Rapport at 1 and 2, with Svidler on 1 for Russia

Italy v England round 1

Women - tough pairing, England v Ukraine

[LawrenceCooper]

Indeed, Hungary now have Leko and Rapport at 1 and 2, with Svidler on 1 for Russia

That makes more sense, Leko is very solid and Rapport seems able of getting any result against any player!

[LawrenceCooper]

Bo. 23 Italy Rtg - 5 England Rtg 0 : 0
5.1 GM Vocaturo, Daniele 2588 - GM Howell, David W L 2693
5.2 GM Brunello, Sabino 2562 - GM Mcshane, Luke J 2687
5.3 GM Dvirnyy, Danyyil 2561 - GM Short, Nigel D 2686
5.4 GM Godena, Michele 2508 - GM Jones, Gawain C B 2615

Bo. 18 England Rtg - 3 Ukraine Rtg 0 : 0
3.1 IM Houska, Jovanka 2391 - GM Muzychuk, Anna 2534
3.2 IM Ciuksyte, Dagne 2356 - GM Zhukova, Natalia 2480
3.3 WIM Chevannes, Sabrina L 2106 - GM Ushenina, Anna 2438
3.4 WFM Bhatia, Kanwal K 2072 - IM Gaponenko, Inna 2401

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Scotland playing Georgia. Does anyone know why Scotland are so weak? Do their GMs not play any more, or can Chess Scotland not find the money to put out a stronger team? Might some of it be because some of the Scotland players are at the Senior Championships? (PS. Good luck to Scotland regardless!).

[LawrenceCooper]

Scotland playing Georgia. Does anyone know why Scotland are so weak? Do their GMs not play any more, or can Chess Scotland not find the money to put out a stronger team? Might some of it be because some of the Scotland players are at the Senior Championships? (PS. Good luck to Scotland regardless!).

Money! No free rooms at the European Team.

[Roger de Coverly]

Do their GMs not play any more, or can Chess Scotland not find the money to put out a stronger team? Might some of it be because some of the Scotland players are at the Senior Championships?

It's probably all of the above.

Wales usually send a team, but haven't this year. Ireland haven't a team either.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Scotland playing Georgia. Does anyone know why Scotland are so weak? Do their GMs not play any more, or can Chess Scotland not find the money to put out a stronger team? Might some of it be because some of the Scotland players are at the Senior Championships? (PS. Good luck to Scotland regardless!).

They are always weaker in the European event. Entrants have to pay their own way completely, unlike the Olympiads, so it a strain on the budget unless one has a sponsor. The home sides take different approaches to the problem. Ireland tend not to enter at all, Scotland select the strongest and keenest players who are happy to pay their way, and England raids its own cupboard to send the best team, neglecting all sorts of other causes in the process.

[Mick Norris]

Games live at 3 pm
chess24

[LawrenceCooper]

If anyone finds any moves in the England's women match on any site, please let me know

[LawrenceCooper]

If anyone finds any moves in the England's women match on any site, please let me know

Jovanka has won by default against Anna Muzychuk, travel problems allegedly.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Any guesses as to where a win might come from at the moment in the England Open match against Italy?