After good journeys, the English delegation arrived in Malenovice in Czech Rep on Tuesday evening. Play commenced at 3pm on Wednesday after a short opening ceremony. 3/3 was achieved by the English trio in Round 1 via a variety of routes. Matthew playing in the U14s discovered that as the only FIDE unrated in the event and that as there was an odd number,
he was to receive the 1 point bye. Oliver and Boris both playing in the U10s were on the live boards and both playing rated girls (the sections are mixed although there are separate prizes). Boris had a very smooth controlled win in which his 2 bishops dominated the position and his opponent overlooked checkmate. Oliver having won a pawn in the opening went astray and allowed his opponent to pin his king in the corner but some excellent manoeuvring with his knight enabled him to fork his opponents pieces and force resignation.

With play starting quite late in the day, the organisers are laying on various cultural and sporting activities in the morning and today there is a 2 hour hike planned before play.