English Chess Forum

It's a lot of rating points to make up, and a difficult climate to gain in. The problem is avoiding having a bad tournament - it's so easy to drop 20+ points when you're out of form.

So that's 5/5 for Richard. I think it's also 9.5/11 in his last 11 classical games - since his loss to Luke McShane at the British in round 5.

For ECF events I assume players can bring relevant medical issues, including the need to visit the toilet more often than usual, to the arbiters before the game or event. I assume rules are that reasonable accommodations can be made, as they are for other situations. For most people you go when you ...

Good to see Daniel Fernandez also on 3/3 after beating a 2560 GM today.

Absolutely! I feel 0/2 would've been harsh but it can easily happen. Certainly I'd be feeling much more tired if I had lost.

It's great to have Gawain back in the Sharks, and it looks like another interesting season ahead. Obviously Wood Green are the team to beat as always!

I'm glad the time control is faster than it used to be. 180 moves over the weekend was a bit much for me - but it makes a difference to finish by 5pm on the Sunday at least.

I'm obviously not strong enough to be considered for selection, but I know a lot of the GMs in and around the selection process. I don't think there's much appetite for change to the current system (although I confess I've not carried out a survey). Honestly I don't think there has been much controv...

Looking like a convincing win for the England women's team now, earlier it felt quite close but now even 4-0 is possible.

MJMcCready wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2026 3:10 pm

Poor game by the Russian.

Is there any need from this (from anybody)? Nikita is representing England whether he wins, loses or draws.

It smacks a.bit of the Andy Murray; British if he wins, Scottish if he loses attitude.

Thanks Loz, that makes much more sense.

A pity they couldn't have had the rest day today.

Very odd. First thought I had was wondering if there's a Eurovision connection (Netherlands no longer participate as a protest and Bulgaria are hosting next year).

I'm sure it will turn out to be something else!

Jonathan Rogers wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 20, 2026 2:33 pm

Can anyone explain to this non-engine user why Black resigned in Moussard v Nemec (France v Czech Republic)?

There's a winning threat of Re8+, and if gxh5 there's Qg3+ Kf8, Nf5

I believe in Portelli - Glendura (covered in the report above) Black played 35...0-0-0 rather than resigning, and neither player noticed the illegal move. Fortunately White went on to win anyway.

Odd, he seemed to have almost 20 minutes on the clock - so something strange has happened.

No real predictions for the Olympiad, but who do we think will be the dark horses / surprise package? Turkiye would be mine for the Open.

For the women's I'll go for a small surprise and Kazakhstan to win the event.