The 39th Chess Olympiad runs from September 19th to October 4th. The Irish teams have already been announced. Chess player and businessman Gary O'Grady just happens to be in Khanty Mansiysk during the Olympiad and is reporting back on a daily basis. See also the offical report from team captain Pat Fitzsimons. Games. Pictures.

Sep 17

I was sitting in a bar on Moscow's Mayakovska nursing a pint and clasping a return ticket to London and was in a quandry. You see I like Russia. I like it lot and I had only arrived the previous day. If I went back to London I would only have to fly back to Khanty Mansysk later so do I go home or just to hell with it fly to Khanty Mansysk the next day. These kind of decisions can only be made with a clear head, a full and exact appreciation of the situation and a coin flip. Sadly it fell down heads so it was back to London but then after ordering another pint and thinking how a certain Simon Williams would deal with this it became the best of three. Khanty Mansysk was a clear winner and who would dare to argue against the fate of a coin flip. I was now committed. I went back to my appartment to change my flight and book up for KM. Packing took 2.4 seconds as I only took two days of clothing with me and I was on my last one so a laundry service was high up the requirements when choosing a hotel. I spent the next day wandering round Moscow (a city I know and love so well) prior to a taxi at five to carry me off to wonderful Vnukovo Airport.

Now if any of you know Moscow you will know that Moscow taxis either smell of oil or petrol. I was twice blessed as I got one that smelled of both! I also had a driver who was either drunk or hadn't slept for the past week. Maybe even both. You see anytime we had moved some distance (which by the way was clearly not what this car was designed for let alone the conveyance of people) he would drop in to blissful slumber. This was followed by maniacal screaming from me as we neared tramlines, red lights, people crossing and other usual road hazards. It was at this point he was ever eager to prove that his brakes worked as I was plunged in to the windscreen. So the journey went snuffle, snore, sleep, scream, brake and splat all the way to Vnukova. I'd only wanted a taxi not ten rounds with Klitchkov. Clearly driving was not anywhere near the top of priorities when he was taking me.

On arrival at the airport I was quite taken aback by the efficiency of it all. It all looks and seems outdated and about to fall apart at any second but worked very well indeed. It took only half an hour from arrival to the departure gate. Beat that London bloody Heathrow. It was a pleasant flight thankfully as I'm not a great fan of air travel even though that's my job in real life. You know it's funny, if you are in a library and you start screaming everyone looks at you as a total weirdo. Scream on an aeroplane in flight and everyone joins in. I didn't need to scream on this occasion.

On arrival in Khanty Mansysk I set a personal best. Leave plane, into taxi (as explained earlier I have NO luggage), check in at hotel, drop bag to room and order a pint - 19 mins 32 seconds. I was quite chuffed with myself and ordered another and another...

I've had a good scout of Khanty Mansysk today and can confirm that I approve for this city to hold the Olympiad. I can hear now the city elders breath a sigh of relief. I've visited their chess academy, a new building dedicated to chess which will host the congress and also the tennis centre which was built as the name suggests for raquet sports but the only venue big enough to host so many games at once. It is a truly enormous venue.

All the contenders will be arriving tomorrow night from either Munich, Prague or Dubai on their charter flights and I will bet anyone a pound to a penny no one beats 19 mins 32 seconds.

Sep 18

I got my pass today. Unbelievable - access ALL areas including the VIP area. Are they mad? Don't they know who I am? I feel like a real chess groupee now. I think it's mandatory as a groupee to smash up my hotel room isn't it? I'll leave it for now though as hotel accomodation is a bit tight here right now and it's a little too cold to be a chess tramp.

I met up with Pavel Sirotkin, a smashing block who organises the annual Voronezh Chess Festival every June. He is one of the seventy arbiters officiating at this event. I like Pavel very much as he introduced me to a very secret bar come restaurant very near to to the playing arena. It's awfully cheap which could lead me in to serious trouble.

On arrival at the tournament venue you are greeted with the usual strict Russian security and pass through the metal detectors. Naturally I set them off but it seems they are just there for show and to make random beeping noises for effect as I wasn't even escorted out to be shot forthwith.

In the lobby before moving on to the playing area Uncle Kirsan has a stand up declaring his love for almost everyone in the world of chess. He has also arranged for lots of internet connected computers for all to use for free. Sadly today they weren't working so I still have to report back on my iPhone. Same story in the press centre.

The playing area is truly vast and certainly impressive. There are two halls accommodating the over 300 teams partaking. Each and every board is connected to the Internet so online viewers can pick any match they like to watch online.

I've also now got my tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies which promise to be spectacular events in themselves. So everything is ready, set, tested; all we need is some chess players. Hurry up I'm getting bored!

Sep 20

Everyone is here now. The coaches all turned up at 3 am disgorging a multitude of talent in to the frantic reception area of the Olympic hotel amongst others around town. Check-in was handled very swiftly and the award for first team at the bar was won hands down by the Irish. Well done. I think really there should be a special FIDE award for this.

Ireland are considerably weaker with the absence of Kelly and Baburin but with spirits high I'm sure they will give a good account of themselves. We are now all waiting with baited breath for the opening ceremony to commence which can be viewed live online. This starts at 21:30 local time. R1 starts at 3pm local, 11am Irish time on Tuesday (21st).

It's Russia v Ireland!!!! What a match. What a pairing. I've sent them all to bed and look forward to meeting them for a breakfast of champions.

How will Russia view this match I wonder? Amusement? Hilarity? Clearly they will be looking for a 4-0 whitewash. A Kramnik v Collins match will certainly be one to watch. Collins record against Kramnik is fairly encouraging as he's never lost to him as far as I can recall. Maybe you chessbasers out there can confirm. Also I'm almost certain that the other Russian fella Grishchuk has an even record against Lopez.

So positive signs all round. I'm a bit concerned with the Svidler v Fitzsimmons match. David may just lead this into a boring draw if he can't get an advantage out of the opening.

Tactical genius Karjakin will be looking to outwit Heidenfeld but Mark has so many more years experience than his young opponent. So surely his class will carry him to victory.

Maybe even Kramnik could be rested? But this early? We want Russia at their best because we will be. Show them no mercy lads the nation is behind you.

Come on Ireland!!!!

R1, Sep 21

With all the players turning up and sucking all the power out of the internet servers we are having access problems now. I compiled a couple of reports last night and was trying to send them through until early in to the morning with no success. Shame. Now all the buggers are in the hall playing it leaves a little opportunity to get a few mails out!

Ireland have now started against Russia. Kramnik was rested as expected. You would have heard it here first if I had of been able to get a mail out. More importantly, The Bucket List was a film released in 2007 about 2 old boys on a road trip. In this film there was a classic quote. A gem of advice if you will for when you are getting older which I'd like to share with you.

Never pass a bathroom,
Never trust a fart.

The reason I'm sharing this with you is that last night I had a small plate of masla (meat in Russian) and now this morning I have to stay within 100m of a bathroom and plan all journeys with care and precision. From now on I will only eat named meats!

Enough of my problems. Back to the chess. So who is playing who? Russia v Ireland on the top board as I said. The Irish ladies are battling out against Montenegro. Board 4 for them just scares me. I've been and got some energy drink for Nicola Benson to get her through this ordeal.

England men are playing Malaysia and their women Japan. I got some photos but can't send them - damn internet. I'll get some more gossip now for you lot and if I can't find any I'll just make it up. See you later.

R2, Sep 24

Sam Collins was the Irish hero yesterday. In a tense battle which went right to the wire Collins mannaged to hold Grischuk to a draw. Grischuk was probing right to then end and even offered a rook to try and create some winning chances. Collins had seen all this even with just seconds on the clock and a draw was the only outcome.

This was an immensely uplifting moment for both the womens and mens team who up to that point were seven down. Earlier in the mens match we saw Lopez and Daly lose in quick succession to Svidler and Malakhov then Heidenfeld was next out at the hands of Karjakin. There is no denying the spirit of the team who rose well to the occassion and gave their best shot at Russia. To even get half a point on board one is a superb achievement.

The womens team were soundly trounced by Montenegro 4-0 but again it certainly wasn't easy for their opponents and all gave a good account of themselves.

The mens team is now in battle against Papua New Guinness and the womans team against Iceland so a real battle of the Islands today.

Last night we were all in celebratory mood but Herbert Scarry has told me to mention the trips to the opera and the long forest walks he has been organising for the team. Yes Herbert I'm absolutely sure everyone believes you.

There's not a lot to do round town here in Khanty Mansysk so the Bermuda party coming up on the first rest day will be a welcome diversion for everyone. Then the second rest day will see the Irish party which I'm currently trying to organise with Una. I've got a venue but with a maximum capacity of about 300 but smooth Larry from Bermuda reckons it needs to be about 1000. Oh dear we may have a problem. I'm going off to see his venue today and maybe have to change ours to there.

Here are a couple of good sites to use to get some chess news and analysis as I'm somewhat lacking in this area I'm afraid due to my lack of any chess ability whatsoever and lack of chessbase, Fritz etc.

• www.chess-results.com gives all the pairings and results.
• www.ugra-chess.com live games and analysis but in Russian.

Do send me a mail if you want something in particular covered. I'm here for a while! .

R3, Sep 23

Una O'Boyle of Rathmines Chess Club fame got the women's team off the starting blocks yesterday. Drawing with someone from Iceland with a very long name she secured the first half point for the ladies.

The men's team fared somewhat better by despatching Papua New Guinea quite convincingly.

Today sees a rare occurrence with both teams pitted against New Zealand so another battle of the Islands. I wonder will we see a haka?

I spent the evening with Larry Evans and the Bermuda team so a little shaky this morning. I then went back to the Olympic hotel around midnight to find a still packed bar!

Unfortunately it seems Herbert's Internet doesn't work til after one in the morning and only in the bar. What a sacrifice he has to make. Poor chap. He wants you to know that tonight he hopes to be attending the ballet.

Colm Daly also put together a great video of the ending of Sam's Grischuk game which I hope he can send through.

I'm now at the Seven Hills Hotel again with Larry (a very bad influence) who is quite please with himself as he has been here for 3 days now and hasn't been arrested! That will probably change on Saturday when the legendary Bermuda party takes place. We're both off to the venue soon to make the punch.

Please do send your good wishes for the team through to me so I can pass them on. This is always uplifting.

R4, Sep 24

It's a bad day for your intrepid reporter. Ooh my head. You see Eamon Keogh (with Anatoly Karpov in the photo) in the photo, right) turned up last night. Need I say more? However the 'Buffalo Theory' now comes in to play. What's the buffalo theory I hear you cry? Well let me indulge you with yet another gem of wisdom from my vast archive of useless and possibly incorrect information.

The buffalo theory comes from the indigenous Indians of North America. They would follow a herd of buffalo across the vast plains of America and this herd would provide for the tribe's needs such as food and clothing etc. They would hunt the buffalo and generally pick the weakest or oldest of the herd. As as a result the herd would grow stronger. Now it's the same with the brain. Alcohol destroys brain cells but the weakest go first thus ensuring your brain gets stronger. The more you drink the more intelligent you become. This however maybe complete crap.

News of Eamon's arrival soon went round a getting colder Khanty Mansysk so shortly to follow him in to the bar to join us for around 40 mins was the legendary Garry Kasparov (in the picture below with Una O'Boyle on the right). A very nice chap indeed. Eamon is not actually here for the ICU but he is certainly relishing his role in international diplomacy. More of that tomorrow.

Also here, as a genuine surprise to all the Irish is a fit and well looking Kevin O'Connell. Following his recent resignation as Irish Representative at FIDE he is supporting the Irish team and giving helpful advice to Anthony Hearne the official Irish delegate.

Just another little titbit for any of you taking notes. This Olympiad cost around 12 million dollars to put on. Wow!! It would take me a whole week to earn that. I wish!

So what's be going on then? We finished the rum punch for the Bermuda party but I think there was more on the floor than the kegs. Tastes good though. The Bermuda party is tomorrow night and as always promises to be a great bash. It's 400 roubles entry for men (first two drinks free) and free entry for the ladies.

The Irish party preparations are going well. I have annoyed the venue quite enough now and can't ask for more without being roughly escorted from the premises. It's going to be a big one!!!

So chess. Emily and Sarah both won today. Go on girls!! The men's team also scored a superb 4-0 drubbing of Jamaica. Well done guys. More of that in the captains report.

One of my favourite teams here is Uganda. Marvellous people. I always get them a few drinks. All they do is smile and laugh all day long. No good at chess though. Don't tell them I said that.

Another favourite African team is [name redacted to avoid international incident] who want me to go with them to another bar up the road towards the Seven Hills Hotel but, without being too explicit, I believe this bar has a number of ladies of negotiable affections. In true reporter style I make my excuses etc.

It's an early night for me for a change so until tomorrow. Das va danya.

R5, Sep 25

With the election for the FIDE presidency just days away campaigning has stepped up a gear with both candidates politicking and attempting to round up the waverers who have not yet declared their support. From a local view point it seems that Kirsan (with Una O'Boyle in the photo) maintains strong support from the less developed nations whilst Karpov's camp are relying on Europe and more developed countries. To give you a short synopsis of their campaigning here are their respective quotes. I have left in any grammatical mistakes so don't blame me.

Karpov on Karpov:

• Anatoly Karpov, the 12th world champion, has dedicated his life to chess and is living legend around the world.
• Can give chess and FIDE a new start by returning power to the federations, maitaining "one federation one vote", and putting professionals in charge of business and management.
• Will eliminate all federation fees and build commercial sponsorship.
• A $4 million dollar development package to promote the game and create sponsorship, especially in the Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
• Has assembled a strong ticket and a remarkable board of advisors that includes top executives, financial experts, and diplomats.
• Will put chess back on the map with events in global capitals and up-and-coming regions where they will get the attention they deserve.
• UNICEF Ambassador with broad experience in program development.
• Launched dozens of chess schools around the world.

Karpov on Kirsan:

• Kirsan Ilyumzhinov called chess his "hobby". He was recently pressured out as president of Kalmykia.
• 15 years of broken promises. Failed commercial products, cancelled and postponed events, unhappy players, and a development program that uses money for political influence.
• Never developed a business model. Federations that receive FIDE aid pay even more in fees.
• A personal reputation that has caused humiliation for chess and made serious commercial sponsorship impossible. In the news for scandals, outrageous statements, and meetings with aliens.
• No growth in key areas of scholastic chess, the internet, and big events are held in places with no attention.
• Contract with CNC company gives away FIDE's commercial rights to an group that may include Ilyumzhinov and/or his board members.
• His ticket is the same group that has done so much damage for so long. It is time for a fresh start.

OK me again. If you're still with me I'll give you a bit from Kirsan's campaign. He has produced a much larger publication, a glossy mag with a photo of Kirsan kneeling down in a field clutching a red tulip. He has a very caring and empathatic look on his face. It's so sweet!! So...

Kirsan on Kirsan.

• President of World Chess Federation since 1995.
• Sponsor and/or Organiser of Major Chess Events.
• Organized 6 Russian Championships and 8 Russian Women's Championships.
• Following elections in Torino 2006, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, invited the opposition to unite and work as one team with the people who had supported him in the elections. This spirit of unity has resulted in not only in a mobilized and productive chess community with full involvement of Federations, players, organizers, arbiters, and trainers but also a unified world title and an undisputed World Champion.
• Decentralization of FIDE will continue with major activities and development programs in all continents.
• An agreement was signed in late 2009 with Chess Lane to set up Chess Network Corporation (CNC) to formulate a strategy and propose and realize various projects in order to attract sponsorship.
• We will review all the Chess in Schools programs available around the world, to develop a FIDE master program of training in pre schools, primary and secondary levels.

Kirsan on Karpov (surprisingly he doesn't actually say much about Karpov but here is what I have):

Personally I respect him. He is a chess player whose name will be part of chess history. Because of this I have always supported him and even sponsored some of his competitions, including those for the chess crown, total value of aponsorship exceeding $1 million dolllars. I'm aware that he and the 13th World Champion Garry Kasparov were touring Latin America where these chess granmasters participated in simultaneous exhibitions. I commend this initiative, especially if they're not charging money for these matches.

At the moment the declared voting stands at 90 versus 20 in favour of Kirsan. Can Karpov possibly win? I'll keep you posted.

R6, 27 Sep

It was a sweltering Bermuda party the other night. With a capacity of just 1200 the club was soon full and many getting turned away. The club really did not expect this kind of attendance. We did warn them. The temperature inside was like being led in to an oven on gas mark 4. Or am I just getting old? I didn't stay too long preferring the cool climate of the less than busy Olympic hotel bar. I had just the one amusing Incident with Alex Lopez who couldn't get in, however Kirsan was just leaving so seeing the situation for what it was (one in one out) I grabbed Kirsan and politely asked if he could get my friend in. Not being aquainted with the club's security policy he wasn't in a position to help. He was a good sport and saw it as a good photo opportunity. Alex meanwhile head in hands got in moments later.

Now the good news is FIDE have very kindly offered their help with the Irish party and will be supplying the transport totally free. They will all surely go to Heaven. Next Friday will be an interesting event as we may or may not have a new President who I will insist come along. Don't they know who I am?

Election campaigning is picking up in pace. Karpov is having a party tomorrow with free beer apparently so I'm trying to do some valid research to get in on this. My good friend from Zambia is also keen to lend his support. He is very proud of his ladies team who are currently the leading African side. Well done girls.

There is no real controversy to get my teeth in to here. So far that is and someone has to crack soon!

News just in that Ireland ladies have just won against Seychelles 4-0. Woo Hoo. Mines a Guinness!

R9, Sep 30

It's the day after the FIDE elections and you've all probably heard of the complete chaos it quickly descended in to. There were a number of farcical incidents including my favourite: two delegates both claiming to be the President of the Peruvian Chess Federation. I wanted to get up and shout "no I'm Spartacus!". Ireland also got in on the action being told they couldn't vote due to some obscure administrative ambiguity. Soon resolved thankfully.

The voting got under way about an hour late resulting in a win and four more years of the Kirsan presidency. For a detailed breakdown of the day www.chessvibes.com is worth reading.

The night before the elections our mate Garry Kasparov visited us at the Olympic again. I was sitting with Eamon and Colm and I asked Colm if he wanted me to take his picture with Garry. Great he says and asked Eamon to also make a short film on a little video camera he has. Eamon made a short recording of the pair and handed the camera back to Colm who excitedly replayed it. A look of horror quickly spread across his face as he was confronted with a 2 minute recording of Eamon's face who inadvertently had held the camera backwards!

I'm back in the press centre now where shortly we will be hearing from Kirsan and Karpov. I wonder if they'll kiss and make up. There's bound to be some fun so I'm sticking around after all I am President of the Peruvian Chess Federation!

The press conference was a bit of a lame duck. No fights. No controversy but only mutual respect and admiration of both candidates. They could have at least danced.

I retired to the cafe via the press centre tea room which has free coffee and biscuits but no chairs. So I have the best of both worlds. This is a regular thing for me and I'm absolutely sure that the cafe staff secretly cluck to themselves about me behind my back.

The cafe have set such ridiculous prices here. I don't mean expensive but stupid pricing giving themselves a change nightmare. For example chicken and pasta or potatoes is 105 roubles (about €2.25) - who the feck has 5 roubles?! I've seen only one of these rare coins and I've been here for two weeks!! And all their prices are like this. This leaves the staff constantly trying to explain to their diners 'we have no change' in about 47 million different languages. This is an Olympiad!! At least think about these things in advance.

We met Karpov earlier this evening at his hotel who was in jovial spirits or maybe the spirits were in him, this is Russia after all. Elizabeth and Nicola had a chat with him and then he retired and was clearly tired.

The Bulgarians are having a bit of a shindig tonight so Eamon and Una have gone off there. It's OK Herbert gave Una has a rest day tomorrow!! She also has about a million balloons to blow up for the Irish party soon.

I heard in the cafe earlier two people talking about the party and they were both saying how much they were looking forward to it which made me glow. Complete strangers, I just carried on drinking my free coffee winking to a tutting waitress.

You see Khanty Mansysk has very few licensed premises so the stimulation of a new place is hard to come by. I've only found about 27 bars so far but most people don't step foot out of the Olympic hotel.

More of my ramblings later in which I will enlighten you of a new game I have - Russian bus roulette. It's great when you are bored.

Oct 2

It's now the day after the Irish party which was a hugely attended event as expected. We are now missing a number of players who haven't made it home yet and there is a strange woman asking after the whereabouts of Herbert. The important thing is that a lot of people (about 1200) became more intelligent last night despatching unnecessary brain cells with considerable gusto. Thank heavens it's a rest day and I'm not even playing chess. What was particularly surprising was my Irish laser show which was still intact when dawn broke. This was an incredible achievement considering I had no lasers but only some green, white and orange ribbon and a stapler!

There is a little blitzing going on here but Eamon Keogh gladly accepted a challenge by Jean Claude Moingt, the new Vice President of European Chess, to a 3 min. game. Eamon agreed to play on the basis of Irish clock rules. The Frenchman reluctantly agreed and it was clear he had no understanding of these obscure rules. With board and clock in place Eamon carefully placed his pint in front of Jean Claude's clock hand and proceeded to win smoothly with an elegant knight sacrifice. The crestfallen Frenchman requested a return match which Eamon airily brushed aside remarking that the Irish soccer team were given no such opportunity in the World Cup qualifiers. He further reminded the Frenchman that he hadn't even passed the marmalade test befuddling him further. We understand the Frenchman is now lobbying FIDE to demand a return match.

I'm not too sure about Alex playing tomorrow as he has now a sprained finger resulting from a bizarre bowling incident. I guess he will just have to use his left hand but we're now waiting for Pat to assess his fitness.

It's an early start tomorrow as all games start at 11:00 so I guess it will be a quiet night but there's still time.

Das va danya.

Oct 5

It's all over. Ukraine win with Russia coming second despite 5 teams in the tournament. Everybody I think is tired and looking forward to boarding their planes to get themselves back to all corners of the world; winners, losers - heroes all. This was a great experience to mix and mingle with so many diverse nationalities and cultures. I've met friends I would probably never have met but will certainly be friends for life. Katanga from Zambia is particularly memorable. A man with two wives and working on a third. I'm not sure if this is a blessing or a curse! Larry screaming at Kasparov to shut up was wonderful. You can see this on the chessbase site here.

Also I believe I slandered Herbert in an earlier report where I reported a very strange woman was seeking him. This was in fact incorrect as it was at least two women so, sorry Herbert.

Team Ireland were absolutely great ambassadors for Irish chess, they showed such spirit and support for another throughout. A great team and superb captains.

I have to say the organisation of this Olympiad was exceptional and I don't think anyone will have reason for complaint. The doors will close now on this enormous Olympic Hotel which caused such great controversy in the run up to the Olympiad. The fate of the building is unknown. I find it absolutely staggering that this 800 room brand new hotel which received the chess participants on its first day of opening has no planned future beyond this event. The cost alone for this construction for one event is mind boggling.

I'm now back in the bar in Moscow where this great adventure started reflecting on the last two weeks. I'm glad I went but glad to be heading home. Kirsan and Larry are doing a press conference in Moscow tomorrow and I'm so very tempted to stay. However it's time for bed.

In the words of Chris De Burgh:

I'm going home, I'm going home,
Oh the leaves are falling and the wind is calling
And I must get on the road.

See you in Istanbul?