2015 World Senior Team Ch 24 Feb-4 Mar

[Tim Harding]

First result this morning on board 3: McKay (White) and Timoscenko have drawn in a Sveshnikov Sicilian.

It looks like the Scots are giving it a good go but I am not sure I like all their positions (around move 20).
Fingers crossed.

[Chris Rice]

Which one don't you like Tim? McNab and Bryson look ok, maybe Colin even has an edge? The Stohl-Mannion game looks very unclear though, Steve's behind in development but can he pinch that g-pawn (it's Black to play on move 21)?

http://www.schachfestival.de/world-seni ... games.html

[Nick Grey]

Rather long think over that pawn looks far too many other threats e.g. against a black knight/queen & back rank.

[Nick Grey]

Games not quite as 'live' or is it just a 'senior' moment in recapturing the bishop? Stohl-Mannion?

[Chris Rice]

Perhaps the guy's in the bathroom, as you get older the more trips you need.

[Jonathan Rogers]

personally I think Mannion's position looks quite awful !

[Jonathan Rogers]

although now I am getting more concerned about board one - why cannot Black grab on a3?

[Tim Harding]

although now I am getting more concerned about board one - why cannot Black grab on a3?

He has. Mannion and Bryson have drawn so there's only McNab left.
Does he have drawing chances?

[Christopher Kreuzer]

McNab looks to be completely losing. No way of stopping those black pawns as far as I can see. Pity.

Would anyone be able to assess the Kaissa Deutschland-Russia match? A quick draw from IM Salov (who I know from the deaf chess world) against GM Puskov, but a loss for the Germans on 4. Are the top two boards only drawn at best?

[Jonathan Rogers]

and now it is all about board one. Well it is not trivial for Black - White's king is close by - but surely winning with best play.

[Tim Harding]

and now it is all about board one. Well it is not trivial for Black - White's king is close by - but surely winning with best play.

Yes they have made the time control and at move 41 Houdini assesses it as -8 or worse, i.e. McNab will soon resign (after 42...a2 I guess). So Terry & Co. are playing for the silver medals now. Shame but there's always another year and it's experienced gained for future Senior team competitions. (The next one is the European at Vienna in July.)

Chiefly, not to agree early draws in any game against the principal rivals because there are very few other teams who can give them a fight.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Chiefly, not to agree early draws in any game against the principal rivals because there are very few other teams who can give them a fight.

That is true for now, but as more people become eligible for the Seniors competitions, which countries will rise up the rankings as other strong GMs start to play? It should be possible to use birth years where given by FIDE to work this out from the rating lists.

[Tim Harding]

as more people become eligible for the Seniors competitions, which countries will rise up the rankings as other strong GMs start to play? It should be possible to use birth years where given by FIDE to work this out from the rating lists.

We were already discussing this at the individual World Seniors last October. England should be good for a few more years in the 50+.
Of course the Russians will always be competitive but they don't seem to be interested in sending a men's team to the 50+ (yet).

Apart from those playing this time, Mestel is available (but is he only playing bridge?) and also Hebden and probably several others from the "English Chess Explosion" years.

England can start winning the 65+ teams about four years from now when John Nunn becomes eligible. Also Michael Stean (is he still playing?) could start playing in the 65+ in 2018.

You can do an advanced search at the FIDE ratings site for country and birth year.

Apart from Nigel, Peter Wells became eligible for the 50+ this year. Nobody with a title from England becomes eligible next year but 2017 will be a boom year as several more GMs and IMs were born in 1967.

Unfortunately it's hard to find people interested in playing on an Irish team. Some of the players still active don't like to admit to being 50+, let alone 65. Anyone qualified who is interested in playing Dresden next year should send me a private message on this board, please.

[Tim Harding]

As expected it is England 1-Germany in match 2 tomorrow while Slovakia play Thueringen who have had two drawn matches (with Scotland and Germany). I suppose a drawn match is not impossible (they have a GM on board 3, two IMs and an FM) but Slovakia seem to be very efficient at getting +1 =3 and must be full of confidence now.

England-1 won 3-1, with two draws (Keith and Terry), and Speelman resting for the first time. England-2 lost 1-3 to Germany, the GMs drawing.
The Germans played Bischoff and Volke on boards 1 and 2. Villain of the piece Tischbierek got back on the horse to beat Shawn Tavares.

England 65+ lost to Berlin today and will play Sweden 2 tomorrow but (I think) defaulting board 4?

The best individual score at present is 5-1 (Tischbierek!, Paehtz of Thueringen, and Jim Plaskett).

Nigel and John are doing best of the players who only played five matches.

[Michael Yeo]

England 65+ lost to Berlin today and will play Sweden 2 tomorrow but (I think) defaulting board 4?

England 65+ have acquired an extra player to replace Roger Scowen. Gareth Jones from Southampton (ECF 160) lost today to Baumbach.