Batumi Olympiad

[Mick Norris]

For what it's worth, I think the tie-break is very good at trying to achieve what it is setting out to achieve.

I'm sure that's true, but what it is setting out to achieve does not appear to include "being less than opaque to the spectators".

Agreed. You could also take the view that because it is unclear to the players too, they are more inclined to play their games "properly", rather than play for a solid draw, because they cannot be certain of what will happen in the tie-break either.

That would be my thought

[Mick Norris]

What’s wrong with just using game points?

It helps teams who played weaker opponents and racked up big scores, presumably.

Particularly given the pairing system employed?

[JustinHorton]

I'd be surprised if the team captains of the leading teams weren't tasked with keeping at least some eye on tiebreaks. I assume they could take that into account when instructing players on draws?

Is that actually practical given the complexity of the tie-break?

[JustinHorton]

The Chinese players diverge on move 17

[JustinHorton]

Early disaster for White (who knew the King's Indian/Grunfeld bishop could do damage on d4?)

[IanCalvert]

I find myself somehow supporting China v USA. Do others feel the same way?

I don't.

Doubtless the Chinese have the more effective President but Wesley So ( and NiC) produced the best 1 b3 video ever!

[Thomas Rendle]

I'd be surprised if the team captains of the leading teams weren't tasked with keeping at least some eye on tiebreaks. I assume they could take that into account when instructing players on draws?

Is that actually practical given the complexity of the tie-break?

Vaguely? You know what the relative tiebreak scores are before the round. You'll have played some of the same teams. Maybe keep an eye on the scores of 3 key matches for both sides. There is certainly plenty of time to wander around!
A quick check of scores after the time control is probably the most useful though.

[Paul Cooksey]

I'd be surprised if the team captains of the leading teams weren't tasked with keeping at least some eye on tiebreaks. I assume they could take that into account when instructing players on draws?

Is that actually practical given the complexity of the tie-break?

I did wonder why we had an all round genius who is no longer an active player as captain. I imagine he is calculating the tie breaks in his head

[Mick Norris]

Caruana - Ding drawn (when did Ding last lose a game at classical time control?)

[JustinHorton]

Caruana - Ding drawn (when did Ding last lose a game at classical time control?)

Might be 9 August 2017, Giri

[JustinHorton]

Big chance for Russia women on board 4

[Thomas Rendle]

Back on England watch and David has a very comfortable position, with the other 3 pretty close to equal. I wonder if Luke will start to press with Black - not easy to see how but he does like to try!

[Alex Holowczak]

What’s wrong with just using game points?

It helps teams who played weaker opponents and racked up big scores, presumably.

Yes, that's the problem.

I'd be surprised if the team captains of the leading teams weren't tasked with keeping at least some eye on tiebreaks. I assume they could take that into account when instructing players on draws?

Is that actually practical given the complexity of the tie-break?

No, in my opinion.

[Thomas Rendle]

Is it possible to be entirely accurate? No! But surely it's possible to have a better answer when a player asks than 'absolutely no idea' - even if the answer is in fact 'too close to call'.

[Alex Holowczak]

Is it possible to be entirely accurate? No! But surely it's possible to have a better answer when a player asks than 'absolutely no idea' - even if the answer is in fact 'too close to call'.

You have to know the results of all 10 of your previous opponents in that round. Some of them aren't even in your playing hall. Then you need to keep an eye on all 10 of the opponents of the teams you may end up tied with and the matches they are playing in Round 11; OK, there are some mutual opponents so this number may come down a bit. The amount of time you'd need to spend working all that out to get an answer that is probably only slightly more accurate than shrugging your shoulders doesn't sound like fun to me; and I'm the sort of person that job would normally get delegated to...