2014 Chess Olympiad (Tromsø)

The official site seems to be making a number of errors in reporting the games. They should hire a proof-reader.

Carlsen's opponent played perfectly. There were literally no mistakes for Carlsen to build on. Check his shoes.

Nyback is a very strong player, he was 2650+ not so long ago and when he is white and wants a draw it isn't easy to win. Being black isn't easy, today Ivanchuk lost to a 2500, Mamedyarov drew a 2441, and Aronian has a very drawish position against a 2513 at the moment.

i guess, but it sucks that Carlsen loses 3.4 rating points for a game that he played his best. Usually his super GM opponents make more mistakes than Nyback did in that game.

Wow. Norway's just taking it easy. 2-2 today. It will be funny if Norway 2 AND 3 finish ahead of them.

For Nyback vs Carlsen see also: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1521609

 Yup he definitely needs his shoes checked. I believe Carlsen just drew with Houdini or stockfish.

So Topalov isn't playing? He's from Bulgaria, I just checked their team & didn't see him listed. Maybe he's there to play but hasn't yet, like Nakamura?

Topalov is still celebrating his crushing win which traumatized Kramnik during Norway chess.

Russia. When your team is sooo strong that your 4th ranked player is 2751 (4th!!) & even your reserve player or lowest rated is still 2714 & you don't win 1st place, then you need a babysitter to follow you around & make sure you stay out of the bars because that can be the ONLY explanation for anything other that 1st. I mean, come on, the average rating (AVERAGE) of the top 4 boards (if the strongest lineup is needed) is 2773. Bam!

Basically the team looks like the Candidates Tournament. Oh wait, they ARE.

I really hope Urkedal on team 2 will have his international breaktrough in this tournament. He is heading for the GM-title and possibilities to play in big tournaments. Beating Vasilij Ivantsjuk was impressive. If he continues to win, and the other guys picks some points too, Norway 1 must play strong to keep ahead. I think Norway 2 is close to Finland in strenght, and that Norway 1 will pick some more points in the tournament.

Norway 2 is partially a juniorteam. Young players on the way up.

I hold Russia as very clear favourites. 

I am not afraid of the bars. The Russians have the knowledge, Dimitrij Ivanovitsj Mendeleev have done research, and if I remember correct his recommandations are exactly 50 gram vodka.

USA is now 2-0; all four of our guys won against Uganda and Onischuk and Shankland won against Colombia today. Good start for the red white and blue especially since Nakamura's having travel issues- nice to have a reserve who has started so strong in his first Olympiad. This could be Sam's greatest contribution to American chess since he started my tournament career by dragging me to my first chess tournament (under 1000 section for me!) in the spring of 2008 ;)

But seriously, I'm glad someone made an Olympiad thread. Much better than reading all that tripe about whiners and getting banned or, heaven forbid, another one of those infernal Carlsen threads opened by various patzers... Well done OP

Last time Nybäck and Carlsen met Nybäck actually won so I suppose Carlsen should be happy to draw. By the way, the previous game was also in olympics and  Finland also managed to draw that match despite being the clear underdogs on paper.

Armenia-France in the next round, now the fun begins!

USA-Netherlands another top match, not to forget Hungary-China.

Russia against who?

Russia has Macedonia, not ranked in the top 50.

Is it 11 rounds?

Poland is playing Cuba.

I looked at the Cuban team and was honestly amazed at how strong they were. I didnt know Cuba had ever had any decent chess players after Capablanca.