World Teams 2019

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Gawain has drawn. David Howell and Wei Yi have about 8-9 minutes each to make (I think) 20 moves.

[JustinHorton]

The computers like Luke's rook more than I do.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

David's game levelling up, now he just has to make the time control!

[Thomas Rendle]

Rook activity is temporary, slightly better pawn structure is more important for the moment. There are definite chances to be better for Luke although a draw remains most likely.

Board 1 is equal, and there are chances for it to end quickly in a repetition - but if it doesn't then all three results are very much possible.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Not sure Mickey made the right choice there... (though hopefully it will work out!)

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Howell seems to be a better time trouble player than Wei Yi (so far). Other two boards at the time control and clearly waiting for this game to reach the time control.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Russia have won overwhelmingly. Artemiev's opening occurred in Hebden v Rogers 1998, with the same course - a seemingly small edge from White that Black cannot (ever) seem to neutralise (meaning, perhaps, that it is not really just a small edge in the first place). But did you see Artemiev's win in round 6 ? - even better. Coupled with Gibraltar, it seems that we will be saying a LOT more about Artemiev in the near future.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

David has blundered badly according to the computers (37...Qb7?? instead of the 'only' move 37...g5). Will Wei Yi find one of the best two replies? Oh dear, he has. Still a chance Wei Yi might blunder before the time control, but he hasn't. Looks all over.

[JustinHorton]

Another win for Goryachkina today

[Jonathan Rogers]

well, no disgrace losing to China - a pity they didn't have an off day against us, but as Malcom noted in the interview flagged above, we arguably had that benefit already from Azerbaijan.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

If USA close out the win against India and China finish off the win against England, then China, USA and India will all be on 10 points, one behind England (on 11 points). England will need a win in the final round against Sweden to secure the silver medals. A draw is likely not enough, as China and USA would probably win against Kazakhstan and Iran (and Russia don't need to win against India but probably would) to leave England in fourth if we slip up. So no pressure there then!

[JustinHorton]

India need Adibhan to draw a lost game in order to salvage their match against the USA, so if they don't, England would (if I'm right) win silver with a win against Sweden tomorrow.

You might argue that it would be better for England if he saves it, since it would keep down the US score, and the US play Iran tomorrow while India play Russia. But I reckon England would prefer to be sure what a win would get them.

(Or just read Christopher's post.)

[Matt Mackenzie]

Russia have won overwhelmingly. Artemiev's opening occurred in Hebden v Rogers 1998, with the same course - a seemingly small edge from White that Black cannot (ever) seem to neutralise (meaning, perhaps, that it is not really just a small edge in the first place). But did you see Artemiev's win in round 6 ? - even better. Coupled with Gibraltar, it seems that we will be saying a LOT more about Artemiev in the near future.

Indeed, looks like the "new Kramnik" hype might have something to it after all.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Jonathan, Artimiev drew in round 6. Did you mean Artimiev's round 7 win against Izoria?

Wei Yi thinking for a long time over 43.Rh7+ - all other moves are evaluated by the computer as only drawing for White.

(Heh. He played 43.Rh7+ even as I finished typing.)

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Ooh. McShane's game might be getting interesting again, in a good way! We should stop talking about round 9, this round isn't over yet.