We are accustomed to the power outages, sporadic hot water, stray dogs, crumbling sidewalks and buildings, and the scarcity of a fresh apple. At the same time, we’ve come to appreciate our abundance and freedoms, and the team have heightened awareness and appreciation of their privilege. Our notice of these differences is twofold – as we walk down a Romanian street and are permeated by Iasi’s everyday life; and as we observe other teams’ way of life, knowing that their team membership and performance is a core commodity of their country.
We are sharing accommodation with the Turkish delegation, and have learned their players have been rigorously coached by some of the most formidable names – Karpov, Kasparov – and are housed and supported by their governments. In contrast, the England team and coaches have arrived from different parts of the country, to travel and play together for the first time, in their first international venue. Still, the team spirit and support is remarkable. Bonds sure to last have already been formed among us – the parents, coaches and players.
Above – first-time winners Meytal Cohen and Joseph Friar
We have settled by now into our routine. Breakfast is taken as a group. Mornings are spent with coaches, in small sessions individually reviewing games and strategies of our opponents – the pairings are posted for the following day just after rounds’ end, and that sparks lively discussion over the evening meal. There is lunch – buffet style in the dining room, although a few of us have undertaken meal replacement strategies ranging from McDonalds to KFC to Pizza Hut (there is one of each). Then we walk or take the ‘FIDE’ bus to the sport hall. We arrive en masse and then dash for the boards sets in. The rounds begin, and as the players complete their games hours later, they find their way out to the ‘magic garden’ – a patio hut among the adjoining buildings (some of which are in various states of unfinished or ongoing construction) where parents, players and Sainbayer Tserendorj, ‘forensic’ coach, gather to share the ups and downs of the games.
Round 4 does not quite mark the halfway point of the 9 rounds, but today the players’ pairings reveal the intensity and quality of the anticipated games –
As two England players are set to face each other (Joseph Dalton and Jake Liang) the team gathers around to express their empathy for two friends forced to battle.
Jennifer Neil, U15, will face an Azerbaijani opponent – she has been preparing by studying her rival’s previous games, and can plan for the strategy and style she will likely use.
Jim Friar, a coach and dad of Joseph, plays through previous games and offers predictions to Jeff Tomy and Sam Cobbold. Sam’s opponent plays the Dragon and e4, and they will look at ‘slaying the dragon’. He abstains from coaching Joseph Dalton today, as he will face Jake.
Meytal Cohen, Phoebe Price and Joseph Friar are all hoping for first wins. Imogen, who had her first win yesterday, will now be facing a Woman Candidate Master, and Eleanor Hapeshi will face the under 14 top seed.
As we arrive, the air in the sport hall is stifling and dead still. The daily rumour that parents may be banned from the viewing stands that overlook the players is spreading, and fueling its cause of talking among those eagerly watching. Stern warnings are shouted in Romanian to the stands.
The afternoon unfolds as one might imagine – hot, anxious and slow, but the players, and strong results prevail …
All good news – for first-time winners Meytal Cohen, Phoebe Price and Joseph Friar, and another win for Ananth Vijayakumar.
Jake Liang’s win over team-mate and friend Joseph Dalton was bittersweet, as it was both a win and a loss for England.
Tai Remus-Elliot and Joshua Altman steadily won their under 9 games. Joshua was helped to an even quicker victory when his Moldovan opponent was caught snoozing as his clock expired!
Eleanor Hapeshi drew against the top seeded under14 girl, Imogen Camp drew against a WCM and Anna Purvis, Jennifer Neil and Richard Zhu brought home three more draws for the day.
The final count in round 4: 7 wins and 5 draws!
– Hillary Altman