Batumi Olympiad

[Thomas Rendle]

My approach would be before the round to input likely results (just as you would in the final weeks of the Premier League for example). Just assume the favourites win their matches then see who the tiebreaks favour. Then you can just check for upset results! I agree it's a very tough job but I'd want it done if I were China/USA!

[Thomas Rendle]

Certainly impossible without prep. work before the round.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

It's been pointed out on Twitter that board 35 sees IBCA take on ICCD - has that pairing come up many times before? I'm also genuinely interested to know how it works logistically as presumably announcing moves wouldn't work particularly well?

Martin Lewis is playing do ICCD - and what a tournament he's having!!!
http://chess-results.com/tnr368908.aspx ... 30&snr=580

Unless I've read it wrong Lewis has got the FM title with his performance.

Yes, this was mentioned earlier (it is easy to miss it in a massive thread like this): see here and here (and next few posts).

Sadly, Lewis has just lost his last round game, but still an incredible overall performance, with a great run in between losses in the first and last rounds, all the more impressive for having played in all 11 rounds. Really pleased that he has got the FM title, and that his rating is racing upwards now.

[Alex Holowczak]

My approach would be before the round to input likely results (just as you would in the final weeks of the Premier League for example). Just assume the favourites win their matches then see who the tiebreaks favour. Then you can just check for upset results! I agree it's a very tough job but I'd want it done if I were China/USA!

But even there, you have to predict based on all 9 possible scores in each match (0.5, 1, 1.5...). It also excludes the result against the lowest-ranked team, and that might change in some completely arbitrary match somewhere near the bottom of the competition.

You'd need to take a notepad into the playing area to keep track of all this. I wonder if you'd get it through security.

[Roger de Coverly]

ever hopeful of imitating Letelier v Fischer.

There is a possible improvement according to engines. It's not been tested by against of Fischer's standard though.

So after 1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 0-0 5. e5 Ne8 6. f4 d6 7. Be3 c5 8. dxc5 Nc6 9. cxd6 exd6, develop with 10. Nf3 rather than move a piece twice with 10. Ne4. The improvement is "about equal" where Ne4 is half a pawn worse. You don't need to play 6. f4 either.

1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 0-0 5. e5 Ne8 6. f4 d6 7. Be3 c5 8. dxc5 Nc6 9. cxd6 exd6 10. Nf3

[Thomas Rendle]

Russia looking good against France as Bacrot has collapsed under pressure. I don't expect Russia to lose a game and Vitiugov is also somewhat better. That game transposed into a French and I've found the resulting middlegame very uncomfortable for Black in practice!

[Thomas Rendle]

Mickey now a clear pawn ahead and England on course for an excellent finish - but with the time controls approaching we've seen twists and turns before...

[JustinHorton]

Big chance for Russia women on board 4

Girya hasn't chosen the best follow-up (my guess is she missed 18...Qxc2+ 19. Ke1 Nb1!) and so while she may still be winning, Lei is kicking at least. China have had some let-offs in this competition - let's see if their luck runs out today.

[Thomas Rendle]

Nakamura-Bu appears to be the decider for the Open, and it's going to be a tight and nervy affair. Hikaru has not won since round 1(!) remember.

[JustinHorton]

Top two games drawn in Poland v India, Poland looking a bit better in the other two games.

[Chris Rice]

What’s wrong with just using game points?

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

Team QP finishes would add a bit of excitement at the end of the Olympiad.

[Roger de Coverly]

The well known players on the top boards seem to be taking the day off with early draws.

Caruana-Ding, MVL-Karjakin, Anand-Duda, Nisipeanu-Aronian, Ivanchuk-Navara all drawn already. It's not until you get down to the Adams game at match 6 that play continues.

[JustinHorton]

Bad mistake by Gawain who is struggling now

[Thomas Rendle]

Perhaps it's worth pointing out the reason 28.Qa1+ was more accurate is that Black cannot reply with Qe5 due to 29.Nxd6! (the Queen on a1 cover e1).

[IanCalvert]

What’s wrong with just using game points?

Richard

I agree: simple widely understood systems have much to commend them.

If complex tie-breaks are really needed for the OLympiad then I think screens in the playing hall should show the LIVE position. Of course some simple projection method with robustness analysis for unfinished games would be needed but creating such a method should be possible by some FIDE officials.