14-11-2015, 12:47 AM
A tough start for us over here in Iceland, and despite being buoyed by the news of Craig and Roddy running amok in the Seniors, we couldn't quite replicate the same success here in Reykjavik.
We were up against the strong Georgian team, averaging 2600 over the 4 boards and led by the super-GM Baadur Jobava. I sat out and watched the games live from the hotel nearby, and after a couple of hours play things were looking quite rosy - even later on it looked like we should take a point or 2 from the match.
Alan Tate seemed to be doing OK, Andy Muir was never under pressure while Graeme Morrison's complex position offered good chances too. Steve Mannion's slight advantage had dissipated, but only into what seemed to be a drawn position.
Alas, these 2600 GM's make a living from winning drawish positions, and unfortunately all 4 of our guys went astray. A rather unrepresentative 4-0 loss, as all our boys had played to a high standard barring one dubious move each late in the games.
Tomorrow will see us take on Slovenia - headed by ex-World title Candidate Alexander Belyavsky - and it promises to be another tough match. I will hopefully get my debut (probably as black against a 2540 GM!) and will try my best to help the guys kick-start our campaign.
Reykjavik is an interesting and strangely beautiful place, and the team (including Graham's wife Lynne who many will know from playing in Scotland) have gelled together quite well already. Spirits are high, now we just have to add some points into the mix!
The live games and results can all be accessed here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://etcc2015.com/open-section/">http://etcc2015.com/open-section/</a><!-- m --> and tomorrow ought to see Carlsen put in an appearance for Norway.
We were up against the strong Georgian team, averaging 2600 over the 4 boards and led by the super-GM Baadur Jobava. I sat out and watched the games live from the hotel nearby, and after a couple of hours play things were looking quite rosy - even later on it looked like we should take a point or 2 from the match.
Alan Tate seemed to be doing OK, Andy Muir was never under pressure while Graeme Morrison's complex position offered good chances too. Steve Mannion's slight advantage had dissipated, but only into what seemed to be a drawn position.
Alas, these 2600 GM's make a living from winning drawish positions, and unfortunately all 4 of our guys went astray. A rather unrepresentative 4-0 loss, as all our boys had played to a high standard barring one dubious move each late in the games.
Tomorrow will see us take on Slovenia - headed by ex-World title Candidate Alexander Belyavsky - and it promises to be another tough match. I will hopefully get my debut (probably as black against a 2540 GM!) and will try my best to help the guys kick-start our campaign.
Reykjavik is an interesting and strangely beautiful place, and the team (including Graham's wife Lynne who many will know from playing in Scotland) have gelled together quite well already. Spirits are high, now we just have to add some points into the mix!
The live games and results can all be accessed here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://etcc2015.com/open-section/">http://etcc2015.com/open-section/</a><!-- m --> and tomorrow ought to see Carlsen put in an appearance for Norway.