Chess Olympiad

Chess Olympiads are chess events open to all national teams. They have been run since 1927 by the world chess organisation, FIDE.^[1] Since 1950, they have been run every two years.^[2] Earlier events were all-play-all. Then, as numbers grew, a system of qualifying sections were used. In recent times, the format has been a Swiss system. This, in chess terms, is a method whereby opponents are chosen each round to have similar scores. It has been widely used for individual tournaments.^[3]

1. ↑ There is another world championship for chess teams run by FIDE, but it is not open. In 2010 FIDE chose the five strongest teams, and pitched them against five much weaker teams. The basis for this decision has not been explained. [1]
2. ↑ List of Chess Olympida
3. ↑ Reuben, Stewart 2005. The chess organiser's handbook. 3rd ed, incorporating the 2005 FIDE laws of chess. Chapter 9 Swiss pairing systems.