England Olympiad teams announcement

[LawrenceCooper]

So far as I can tell, there is still no significance in the order of names.

Agreed. Names and order can often change prior to the final submission the night before round 1.

[Mick Norris]

Hard to see past Azerbaijan, China, Russia & USA in fight for gold I guess in the Open teams

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Both Carlsen and Karjakin playing. In theory, they could meet if Russia and Norway meet, but that is unlikely.

England (with a UK flag!) are eighth seeds (average rating of top four = 2672).

180 teams. Is that about normal, a record, or less than normal?

[Roger de Coverly]

180 teams. Is that about normal, a record, or less than normal?

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/41st_Chess_Olympiad

A total number of 1,570 players participated at the Olympiad, with 881 in the men and 689 in the women's section.[3][4] The number of participating teams was 177 from 172 countries in the open section and 136 from 131 countries in the women's section.

So marginally higher than Norway, which was itself a record, or nearly so.

FIDE does try to sign up Federations from every territory that qualifies for membership. That's everywhere there's a national Olympic committee, which rules out Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Gibraltar.

[NickFaulks]

180 teams. Is that about normal, a record, or less than normal?

Let's see how many actually turn up.

[LawrenceCooper]

180 teams. Is that about normal, a record, or less than normal?

Let's see how many actually turn up.

That may depend on how many get visas

[NickFaulks]

That may depend on how many get visas

My guess is that everyone who has made a proper effort to get visas in advance will do so, although the process has been infuriating. Also there is still the backup plan ( the original one ) of turning up at Baku airport with a letter of invitation.

[Tim Harding]

FIDE does try to sign up Federations from every territory that qualifies for membership. That's everywhere there's a national Olympic committee, which rules out Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Gibraltar.

That cannot be FIDE's criterion. Guernsey, Jersey, Wales and Scotland are in FIDE and going to Baku; they don't have national Olympic committees!

[Roger de Coverly]

That cannot be FIDE's criterion.

It is now for new members. Scotland joined in around 1930, Wales in around 1970. Jersey and Guernsey got in as a combined Federation at around the same time as Wales and later in the 1980s were allowed to separate. In recent times, the Ulster Chess Union was turned down and the Isle of Man and Gibraltar were advised that it was a waste of their time to even try.

[Matt Mackenzie]

I think they joined before that "criterion" was introduced.

Is there a Kosovo team this time?

[Roger de Coverly]

Is there a Kosovo team this time?

http://www.fide.com/images/stories/NEWS ... nnex_8.pdf
http://www.fide.com/images/stories/NEWS ... nnex_9.pdf

They are already a provisional member.

Their listed team at http://www1.bakuchessolympiad.com/content/53

FM Fejzullahu Afrim 2298
FM Ermeni Avni 2270
FM Saraci Nderim 2313
Makolli Perparim 2289
IM Sadiku Bedri 2189

[Tim Harding]

That cannot be FIDE's criterion.

It is now for new members. Scotland joined in around 1930, Wales in around 1970. Jersey and Guernsey got in as a combined Federation at around the same time as Wales and later in the 1980s were allowed to separate. In recent times, the Ulster Chess Union was turned down and the Isle of Man and Gibraltar were advised that it was a waste of their time to even try.

That is sensible and would explain it. Moves to reconcile the Ulster Chess Union and the Irish Chess Union happily seem to be under way.

[Tim Harding]

Hard to see past Azerbaijan, China, Russia & USA in fight for gold I guess in the Open teams

I think France and India (even without Vishy) could well be contenders too.

The Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine also have team averages above 2650 and these things can come down to one or two key boards in head-to-head matches.

[Nigel Short]

With less than a fortnight to go before the Olympiad, the England delegation has 5/13 visas.

[LawrenceCooper]

With less than a fortnight to go before the Olympiad, the England delegation has 5/13 visas.

Wales are expecting theirs by the 25th.