The biennial Chess Olympiad rarely fails to deliver its quota of exciting and sometimes inspirational games. The early rounds pitch the chess world’s heavyweights against some of the lesser lights but, whether it’s national pride or whatever, the games are typically hard-fought. Woe betide the complacent titan, who rests on the laurels of his reputation! The featherweights can easily bruise a GM’s ego.

Yesterday’s sixth round match between England and Italy featured some real yo-yo matches. and, while Italy are far from being chess minnows, it would be expected that England should prevail. However, at one stage it looked as though England were in serious danger of losing the match with both Mickey Adams and Luke McShane surviving real scares.