English Chess Forum

Round 1 report from Chess.com focuses on the USA team turning up seven minutes late though what struck me in the report was:

"U.S. team captain IM John Donaldson, known for his attention to detail (in the past he's examined flight patterns over his team's hotel to make sure they will have restful nights)"

335 teams, and none have 1.5, 2 or 2.5 game points after round 1.

Some bizarre games for sure with a few players a mere 500-600 Elo points below their opponent having an easy time of it. I suppose some people think that if you are titled and with a rating so much nigher than your opponent you will just win automatically.

MJMcCready wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 25, 2018 1:27 am

Some bizarre games for sure with a few players a mere 500-600 Elo points below their opponent having an easy time of it. I suppose some people think that if you are titled and with a rating so much nigher than your opponent you will just win automatically.

I wonder how many 1st round upsets (in any event) are due to the stronger player travelling at the last minute and not having recovered from long journeys, jet lag, lack of sleep and the like.

You have a point I once beat a guy in Abu Dhabi, rated ELO 2001 who was more than proud of the fact that in the previous year he drew his first game with Shakir Mamadyrov in the first round who missed his flight and fell asleep in their game.

Nice smooth website and all the round 1 PGN's are available (and easy to find!)

http://batumi2018.fide.com/en

One wee nag.

On the teams taking part description page.

It's going to be amusing next summer watching all the tourists trying
to find Hohenzollern Castle (Germany) on their Scottish Touring maps.

Geoff Chandler wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 25, 2018 2:27 am

One wee nag.

On the teams taking part description page.

It's going to be amusing next summer watching all the tourists trying
to find Hohenzollern Castle (Germany) on their Scottish Touring maps.

There are more than a few original picture choices on that page; England's appears to be the roof of the Natural History museum. Not at all sure what Australia's is, but it's not the first answer you get to the question, "what is a picture of a structure that best evokes Australia?". Lots of material for a pub quiz geography picture round though, and they have put good effort into making it interesting.

Luke left out for the round 2 match against Belgium who field three IMs and an FM.

In the Women's match ENG v SCO , Jovanka faces Ketevan but otherwise ENG have a sizeable rating advantage. Akshaya sitting out this round.

Bo. 9 England (ENG) Rtg - 59 Belgium (BEL) Rtg

41.1 GM Adams, Michael 2712 - IM Godart, Francois 2431
41.2 GM Howell, David W L 2689 - IM Docx, Stefan 2427
41.3 GM Jones, Gawain C B 2677 - IM Beukema, Stefan 2396
41.4 GM Pert, Nicholas 2549 - FM Dardha, Daniel 2299

Bo. 25 England (ENG) Rtg - 69 Scotland (SCO) Rtg

15.1 IM Houska, Jovanka 2402 - GM Arakhamia-Grant, Ketevan 2345
15.2 IM Ciuksyte, Dagne 2308 - Roy, Ali 1923
15.3 WFM Head, Louise 2161 - Giulian, Rosemary A 1924
15.4 WIM Maroroa, Sue 2112 - Espinosa Cancino, Monica 1655

It does appear there was a bottle of white wine in the goody bag. This from Helen Milligan.

Have to say (no sarcasm) seeing the likes of Germany- Myanmar, Russia- Ireland etc is a very welcome change from seeing Carlsen, Karjakin et al play each other every other week.

That's a rather weak Belgian team on paper?

Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 25, 2018 1:03 pm

That's a rather weak Belgian team on paper?

Despite bordering the chess powerhouses of France, Netherlands and Germany, Belgium has never produced that many top players. The top two players, Gurevich and Chuchelov are both ex Soviets.

Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 25, 2018 1:56 pm

Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 25, 2018 1:03 pm

That's a rather weak Belgian team on paper?

Despite bordering the chess powerhouses of France, Netherlands and Germany, Belgium has never produced that many top players. The top two players, Gurevich and Chuchelov are both ex Soviets.

I know that, but they also have a couple of "home grown" GMs as well as the emigres.

A bit strange that none seem available for this event?