World Teams 2019

[Nick Grey]

The comments from top forum chess players have been spot on.
I cannot fathom why any of the England players or management would want to disclose any thought processes until after the tournament is over.
Why reveal anything to the opposition? Not in our interests.
They are in a good position & let's hope for the best.

[David Shepherd]

Well here's a line that doesn't look so good for Adam's

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 O-O Be7 6 d3 b5 7 Bb3 d6 8 a3 Na5 9 Ba2 c5 10 Nc3 Be6 11 Nh4 O-O 12 Nf5 Nc6 13 Bg5 Bxf5 14 exf5 Qd7 15 g4 Rac8 16 Bxf6 Bxf6 17 Nd5 Qd8 18 c3 Bg5 19 Qf3 Ne7 20 Kg2 c4 21 Nxe7 Qxe7 22 Rfe1 Rc7 23 Rad1 Rfc8 24 h3 Bf4 25 dxc4 bxc4 26 Re4 g6 27 fxg6 hxg6 28 Rd5 Kg7 29 Qe2 Qe6 30 Qd1 Rc6 31 Bb1 Rb8 32. Re2 f5 33. Rd4 Qf6 34. Qa4 exd4 35. Qxc6 d3 36. Qc7+ Kh6 37. Re7 Rh8 38. Qxc4 Qxe7 39. Qxf4+ Qg5 40. Qd4 Rb8 41. Bxd3 Rxb2 42. Qh8#

31... Rb8 32. Re2 f5 33. Rd4 Qf6 34. Qa4 exd4 35. Qxc6 d3 36. Qc7+ Kh6 37. Re7 Rh8 38. Qxc4 Qxe7 39. Qxf4+ Qg5 40. Qd4 Rb8 41. Bxd3 Rxb2 42. Qh8#

of course 41 ….Rxb2 wouldn't happen but before that it looks plausible and equal with maybe a small edge for white.

[J T Melsom]

Interesting reaction to say the least. In virtually any other competitive endeavour you would seek reaction from the participants about the outcome and the key moments. In many sports a press conference is mandatory. Of course you might get platitudes, that's a risk you take. But in this case there is nothing and what is more there seems very little interest in even asking the questions. I find that odd. Rather than the human interest element we seem to be left with the cold reality of a computer analysis as the lasting impression of events.

[Mick Norris]

Players might be reluctant to say much during the event, although they do have to do so during individual events, but it would be good to get an in depth view post event

Nepo taking today off before tomorrow's actual rest day; some interesting matches underway

[JustinHorton]

Interesting reaction to say the least. In virtually any other competitive endeavour you would seek reaction from the participants about the outcome and the key moments. In many sports a press conference is mandatory. Of course you might get platitudes, that's a risk you take. But in this case there is nothing and what is more there seems very little interest in even asking the questions. I find that odd. Rather than the human interest element we seem to be left with the cold reality of a computer analysis as the lasting impression of events.

All of this

[Leonard Barden]

England under the cosh all morning with Jones clearly worse and the others level, then 1-1 with Adams and Howell draws.

But in the last half hour Gawain seems to be holding while Sasikiran is collapsing against Luke, parking the bus strikes again.

[JustinHorton]

Luke wins, so it's a tough struggle to hold for Gawain if England want to win.

[Roger de Coverly]

Luke wins, so it's a tough struggle to hold for Gawain if England want to win.

Plenty of play remaining and a position White could overreach if he treats it as a "must win".

[SetUp "1"] [FEN "1r1q1k2/2pb1n1p/1n1p1pp1/R2Pp3/1PN1P3/1B2N2P/2Q2PPK/8 w - - 15 43"]
White to move

[Jonathan Rogers]

Luke wins, so it's a tough struggle to hold for Gawain if England want to win.

On the other hand he might be the best man for the job - much of the success in the Olympiad was down to Gawain's resilience in bad positions.

In fact, despite SF assessments, I would have thought that, in human chess terms, Gawain has never been in serious trouble today.

[David Robertson]

I've just been told (by Malcolm Pein) that all the ENG team are struggling with heavy colds. It's minus 15 outside in Astana. This may go some way to explaining aspects of their performance (quick draws etc); but also reflects well on their resilience. By contrast, Nigel Short is on FIDE business in the Caribbean - and watching the cricket in plus 30

[Jonathan Rogers]

Ah. that's useful to know, though I did wonder as much yesterday regarding Gawain's uncharacteristic draw with White.

Mind you, if we all have heavy colds, how are the Indians coping with the low temperature?

[Jonathan Rogers]

Probably good news on board four: Gawain has played the break with ...f5, in keeping with his style as well as being regarded as best by SF.

[Jonathan Rogers]

maybe it was not such good news, there don't exactly appear to be many complications arising from this.

[Roger Lancaster]

England 2-2 India

[JustinHorton]

By contrast, Nigel Short is on FIDE business in the Caribbean - and watching the cricket in plus 30

Yes I'm glad to see FIDE officials no longer go on those junkets we used to hear so many complaints about