English Chess Forum

Presumably the current #3 didn't want to go. That's a shame.

NickFaulks wrote:Presumably the current #3 didn't want to go. That's a shame.

He's not played a FIDE rated tournament since the 2014 Olympiad so even if he was available that may have played a part in any decision.

The England team and their performance in Tromso last time round (in 2014) can be seen here:

http://www.olimpbase.org/2014/2014eng.html

In terms of team composition, looks like a straight swap of McShane for Sadler.

The 2014 team (and board order): Adams (2740), Jones (2665), Short (2665), Howell (2650), Sadler (2653). Top four average: 2681.
The 2016 team (no board order yet, June ratings): Adams (2727), Howell (2663), Short (2646), McShane (2671), Jones (2650). Top four average: 2678.

Only a very slight drop in the ELO average used for seeding. Any idea whether other teams will have higher ELO averages and what England's seeding will be roughly? Somewhere in the top 20? I think they were seeded ninth in 2014? They finished 28th.

Any speculation about possible board order?

The women's team for 2106 (using June ratings): Jovanka Houska (2383), Dagne Ciuksyte (2323), Akshaya Kalaiyalahan (2267), Sarah Longson (2117), and Kanwal Bhatia (2099). Average rating of 2273 (top four players).

England women in 2014:

http://www.olimpbase.org/2014w/2014eng.html

Back then, it was Houska (2401), Maroroa (2120), Chevannes (2171), Kalaiyalahan (2016) and James (2095) for an average rating of 2197 (top four players), so two carry on to 2016 and three come in to replace the others.

So this is a stronger women's team than last time. Last time they were seeded around 37th and finished 40th.

Those look like the probable board orders to me already.

The coach for the men's team is still TBA.

Jonathan Rogers wrote: The coach for the men's team is still TBA.

Does FIDE's edict that captains need to be FIDE Licensed coaches make a difference?

When I last checked, that would make the choice of captain between Jon Speelman, Peter Wells, Andrew Martin and David Openshaw. We've established that for GMs and IMs, becoming a FIDE Licensed Coach is just an FM matter (Find Money).

What's the men's board order?

Nigel Short wrote:What's the men's board order?

I predict that it won't be the order listed.

Nigel Short wrote:What's the men's board order?

I was guessing that it would be very similar, if not the same, to the names in the order that they are currently listed. It is hard to look at the men's and women's teams lists and to think that the names are presently listed in no particular order.

Jonathan Rogers wrote:

Nigel Short wrote:What's the men's board order?

I was guessing that it would be very similar, if not the same, to the names in the order that they are currently listed. It is hard to look at the men's and women's teams lists and to think that the names are presently listed in no particular order.

I think the women's board order looks very likely but I expect (but have no way of knowing) that the men will go with a different order.

LawrenceCooper wrote:

Nigel Short wrote:What's the men's board order?

I predict that it won't be the order listed.

Grading order seems about right.

Carl Hibbard wrote:

LawrenceCooper wrote:

Nigel Short wrote:What's the men's board order?

I predict that it won't be the order listed.

Grading order seems about right.

My vote would be: Adams, Short, Howell, Jones, McShane.

Rating order is less important than team tactics.

Reasoning: the player who is currently least active should be 5 (reserve).
Nigel is the best bet with his experience to play board 1 when Mickey needs a rest.

Also I suspect it's more important to maximise Whites for Howell than the others; this list gives that flexibility.

2-5 could pretty much be played in any order. What are their relative results against stronger and weaker players?

IM Jack Rudd wrote:2-5 could pretty much be played in any order. What are their relative results against stronger and weaker players?

That's a good question - I assume form comes into it too, although that can be hard to judge in advance, and I assume the players get asked for their preferences too

Jonathan Rogers wrote:Those look like the probable board orders to me already.

The coach for the men's team is still TBA.

Are we expecting one to be added?