44th Olympiad, Chennai 28 July to 10 August 2022

[David Sedgwick]

I leave it to interested readers to decide for themselves whether Nigel Short has been sanctioned for a "gratuitous libel"

Although it is clear that Nigel exceeded his powers, lost his objectivity and was pursuing a feud - is it not?

In my opinion no-one involved in the matter comes out of it with any credit.

I have decided that I don't wish to make any further comment beyond that.

[Gerard Killoran]

Most likely, then, their opponents under-rated them and were caught out. This phenomena may also partially explain why Oman turned over New Zealand.

'Some of these lads from the Congo will get a rating boost, they will go back home and the
other local players will feed of it so their ratings will be higher, but have they really got any better?'

Another question is, upon their return can they make it along the road to tell anyone anyway? Confused? Click on the link and have a watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coyaVoVkhVw

Another question is, would you ask such a question of a European country with the odd dangerous road?

Well, that's a question of perspective. Determining what qualifies as a dangerous road to a cyclist such as myself may yield a different answer to a motorist. But to answer your question, I suppose I would yes. London has got plenty of dangerous roads (Euston Road especially) and roundabouts (Old Street especially) if cycling, so yes I would ask the English team the same question, assuming they go back home across London by bicycle. If not then most likely not. Whatever the outcome, the question would almost certainly be ignored anyway...

Certainly is a question of perspective, how Europeans perceive -and represent - Africa and Africans.

[David Sedgwick]

Ah okay, so only the hosts can have more than one team then? Presumably FIDE put a limit of less than 1,000,000 host teams or something, since India could probably roll out as many should they want to, and if not then quite a few more on top by the looks of it.

3 or 4 seems to be the limit in practice, it has often helped achieve an even number of teams participating in the past.

I counted five in 2010 http://chess-results.com/tnr36795.aspx?lan=1

The host nation has the right to field two teams. It has the additional right to field a third team if there would otherwise be an odd number.

Somehow, the number of teams is always odd at the point when the decision about the possible third team is taken.

I have forgotten the weird and wonderful explanation of the five 2010 teams.

[JustinHorton]

I have decided that I don't wish to make any further comment beyond that.

You surprise me

[David Sedgwick]

I have decided that I don't wish to make any further comment beyond that.

You surprise me

I prefer to spend my time in more constructive ways.

[JustinHorton]

Mmm. Alternative views are available.

[MJMcCready]

It seems to me that all the Indian teams are doing rather well.

[MJMcCready]

Another question is, would you ask such a question of a European country with the odd dangerous road?

Well, that's a question of perspective. Determining what qualifies as a dangerous road to a cyclist such as myself may yield a different answer to a motorist. But to answer your question, I suppose I would yes. London has got plenty of dangerous roads (Euston Road especially) and roundabouts (Old Street especially) if cycling, so yes I would ask the English team the same question, assuming they go back home across London by bicycle. If not then most likely not. Whatever the outcome, the question would almost certainly be ignored anyway...

Certainly is a question of perspective, how Europeans perceive -and represent - Africa and Africans.

We Europeans have a long history of either looking down on or wanting to exploit Africa and Africans. On the whole the French have a very poor reputation in Africa, worse than us but not as bad as Belgium. Well, so my colleagues tell me and they are Sudanese.

[NickFaulks]

Although it is clear that Nigel exceeded his powers, lost his objectivity and was pursuing a feud - is it not?

That is the charitable interpretation.

[NickFaulks]

it has often helped achieve an even number of teams participating in the past.

No it hasn't, except by chance, and that is not the intention - merely a very flimsy cover story. The third teams are selected and travel long before it is possible to guess how many teams will take part. They are there to play.

At one GA ( Dresden 2008? ) I suggested that if the intention really was to make sure that visiting teams got their games, the host's third team should play only in rounds where they were needed to make up the numbers. This idea was summarily dismissed by the Chair.

[MJMcCready]

The good news for India is that all their teams are doing really well so far.

[JustinHorton]

Apparently Black had a medical emergency here so White offered a draw

[Angus French]

Apparently Black had a medical emergency here so White offered a draw

If the position given by Chess24 is correct then White is straightforwardly lost.

[Nick Burrows]

Apparently Black had a medical emergency here so White offered a draw

If the position given by Chess24 is correct then White is straightforwardly lost.

Clearly a resignation was more appropriate.

[Angus French]

However, I am at a loss to understand why he is defending Margaret Murphy's behaviour.

Now you have gone public you really need to explain to the Forum, as well as to me, what you think this "behaviour" is. Otherwise your comment is merely the same gratuitous libel for which Nigel Short has been sanctioned by Ethics Commission.

1.Admitting to membership of the USVI players who have no connection to the territory.

I've seen a claim to this effect made by Nigel Short on Twitter. In my view it's not enough in itself. I wonder if David has seen more?

2. Effectively declining to admit to membership of the USVI players who are resident in the territory and have formed an alternative Federation in protest at their exclusion.

Again, I think this needs to be substantiated.

After some delay, the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission's Reports on this matter have been published at https://ethics.fide.com/wp-content/uplo ... cision.pdf and at https://ethics.fide.com/wp-content/uplo ... cision.pdf.

The second of those at least has been available for a while and was referenced on this forum (in this thread).

I leave it to interested readers to decide for themselves whether Nigel Short has been sanctioned for a "gratuitous libel" and whether Margaret Murphy is deserving of support.

Interested readers may also like to read a Chessdom interview with Margaret Murphy: part 1, part 2.