European Club Cup Group 2
Eupen in Belgium
The results.

Round 1
Kasparov's team - Bosnia (headed 'only' by P.Nikolic, I Sokolov, Kozul, etc.) and the Latvians (Khalifman, J Ehlvest, E Kengis) were beaten by the Israelis (L Psakhis - a boy on board three, Zifroni (2500), scored 3/3, including against two 2600s).

Barbican did very well, virtually everyone gaining Elo points. Had a close match against Clichy Wilson, giving the team a good start against J-M Koch 2495 - eventually we got ground down.
 
Background:- Rd 1
The Latvians (favourites with a 2595 reserve on paper - the young Krakops takes precedent in nomination and board order. He will obviously soon be a GM, and was leading the world junior, but fell ill.) Loss to the Israelis, after leading 3-1. The distraught Latvians go on an in-form as newt expedition. Since in that part of the Ardennes German is spoken in preference to other languages they got 'Rathaus'd. Rd 2.
 
Round 2.
Barbican beat the Belgiums, headed by three ex Soviet GMs 31/2-21/2 (M.Gurevich held by Colin Crouch, Chuchelov held by Lewis- Kenworthy and Sands doing the business). David Sands was completely lost but won after 61/2 hours, (he lost in 7 hours to Relange in round 1).

The Latvians massacre the Welsh, some Latvians were late to their boards, Kengis never made it!!.
 
Round 3
A flighing start. Kenworthy wins in 19 moves and 46 minutes against the Latvian captain in a razor sharp Sicilian. - Wilson cheapos Krakops. Final score, as per round 1, - 1 1/2- 4 1/2. Petri and Andrew played 3 GMs each. Strongest European I have seen. Good arbiting, excellent conditions.
 
The Welsh got thrashed- quickly. But, James Cobb usually playing on longer than others... but, in order, Nikolic, Khalifman, Gurevich was a bit much for him.
 
Round 3.
Kengis looks like he still has a hangover, but cruises through Petri Lehtivaara of the Barbican. Rausis drops himself as he is not satisfied with his play, and gives their organiser, about ELO 2225 a game. During the opening moves my opponent was taking several photographs, and was not  really paying attention. His TN in move orders is a disaster.
 
Very interesting point here, some "Bright Spark" has considered a National Club rule that anyone over 2320 (215 BCF) ought to be banned from club chess, the National Club Championships. It was therefore overwhelmingly agreed, on the Eurostar journey back, that players like James Cobb (2335) ought to be banned because he is too strong for the qualifier. Good rules - Eh!?? - My view is that the amateur style of our British sporting organisations, means if we were a track and field club, and the federation in charge obtained sponsorship from an anvil manufacturer, that they would insist that we have these strapped to our legs for the 100 metres. The Barbican no longer wishes to associate itself with the national club and its rules and are refusing to play in it this year. We will be concentrating on the 4NCL - another GM and IM to register today.