… of the start of one of the world’s largest sporting events!
You could be forgiven for not noticing the blanket BBC coverage (or even the ECF website hype!?) but the 42nd Chess Olympiad begins in Baku in Azerbaijan today. With over 1600 players from 176 countries, playing Open or Women’s team chess, this is a truly global phenomenon.
England men, led by Mickey Adams, have the eighth highest average rating (2672). Russia, USA (and a couple of blokes that have been taught the Star-Spangled Banner) and China look very strong so it promises to be a tough tournament.
Our women, led by Jovanka Houska, are ranked about 30 in a tournament where its difficult to see anyone really beating China.
Aside from the Beeb, it is unclear yet how best to watch it. A few possibilities:-
- www.bakuchessolympiad.com is the official website
- www.chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/42nd-chess-olympiad-baku-2016-open promises coverage in 5 languages
- www.chessbomb.com are doing their usual thing
- www.chess.com – unclear what they are doing?
I’ll update the list once I see what’s out there.
Chris Ross (ex Northampton and Beds league) is playing at the Olympiad for International Braille Chess Association, he lost his first game today v Bahamas