Chess (#1107)

The Olympiad apparently faces a credible terror threat. Intelligence reports say that an ISIS team from Syria is headed for Europe, with Norway a probable target. The Norwegian police have intensified security.

Among medal contenders, China is missing some of its best players. So is India. The Open team doesn't feature Viswanathan Anand (national No. 1) or Pendyala Harikrishna (No. 2) while the women's team is sans Humpy Koneru (national No. 1).

Anand and Humpy were expected to opt out. Humpy has had stressed relations with the All India Chess Federation (AICF) for years and she didn't play the last Olympiad either. She is due to get married in mid-August.

Anand has not played an Olympiad since 2004. There are three or four possible reasons for his well-known aversion to Olympiads. One is that he doesn't like the Swiss format, which involves a lot of luck in the pairings. Second, the Olympiad has irritating rules - "zero-tolerance", an obsession with drug testing, and so on. Third, it is a very strong tournament for top boards on ambitious teams, which entails very serious prep. But AICF doesn't offer a reasonable fee, or bonuses for medals (either individual or team). Harikrishna may have similar reasons.

Despite the absentees, India takes ambitious, young teams to the Olympiad. The open squad is led by Krishnan Sasikiran and is seeded 19th with a average rating of 2629. The top seed in the open is Russia (average 2777), second is Ukraine (2722). Russia-Ukraine will be a needle encounter, given the current geopolitical situation. France is third (2718). Defending champion, Armenia follows.

The Indian women's squad is seeded fifth (average 2420) behind China (2544), Russia (2521), Ukraine (2505) and Georgia (2498). The Indian women could do really well if the luck runs in their favour. The men are more likely to be dangerous floaters than medal contenders. Incidentally Katerina Lagno, late of the Ukraine, will play for Russia.

The DIAGRAM, WHITE TO PLAY (Hou Yifan Vs Anish Giri, Biel 2014), is prelude to a sharp exchange. The women's world champion, Hou Yifan, who has broken into the top 100 (#87, ELo 2661) shows her formidable calculating ability.

White has material advantage and a big pawn roller. Black's trying to complicate with wild piece play. Obviously 19.Qxf4 Nxf3+ 20.Nxf3 Bxf4 21.Bxf4 axb4 22. axb4? Rxa1 23. Rxa1 Bxf3 23. Bxf3 Qd4+ is not great for white. The engines say the calm 19. Bb2 may work.

Hou played 19.Nd6! Bxd6 20.cxd6 Nxe2+ 21.Qxe2 Qxd6 22.Nb5 Qf6. Forced till here and now 23.Bb2 Bd7 24.Bxe5 Qb6+ 25.Nd4 Rfe8 is messy. But after 23.fxg4! Nf3+ 24.Qxf3 Qxa1 25.Be3 Qf6. Not much black can do. If 25.--Qa2 26. Bc5 and Qxb7 etc. Now White mops up with 26.Qxf6 gxf6 27.Nc7 Rac8 28.Nd5 (1-0).

Devangshu Datta is an internationally rated chess and correspondence chess player