Chess: England in midfield at European championships and medals appear unlikely
England, seeded fifth among 40 teams at the start, were 12th at halfway, while England women, seeded 12th among 36, were 10th
England’s open and women’s teams looked unlikely to contend for medals on Thursday, as this week’s European championships at Batumi, Georgia, passed the halfway mark.
Leaders after five of the nine rounds: Open: 1 Ukraine 9 match points (12.5 game points), 2 Netherlands 8 (12.5), 3 Serbia 8 (11). Also: 12 England 6 (11). Women: 1 Poland 10 (13.5), 2 Georgia 8 (14), 3 Germany 8 (12). Also: 10 England 6 (11,5).