No soup (thankfully). Main course was some potatoes accompanied by what team captain Dale Kirton referred to as a piece of an old Australian camel. Please bear in mind that Dale had never eaten camel, let alone the Australian variety, but if he had then surely it would have been the same! My piece of camel reminded me of an old story of some animal that had the bad luck to die before it got to the slaughterhouse.

Now to the match with the Czech Republic. Only a 2-2 result, but definitely the Czech Republic was lucky this time! Alex played an absolutely brilliant game and completely outplayed Movsesian in a classical and topical line of the King's Indian Defense. Surely a game to be studied by many of the opening's fans in the weeks and months to come. In time trouble Alex let slip the win and thus a draw on board number one.

I managed to win a complex game against Hracek. Admittedly I was somewhat worse in a complex position. However, my adversary underestimated the stiff and sudden jolt that Canadians have been known to administer from time to time. I made a surprising exchange sac (at least to my opponent) and quickly got a strong attack in the final moments of the first playing session. Canada made the score table first.

On board three Igor could only draw against a 2580 GM. So far Igor has an excellent 2.5 points in three games and has fully justified his inclusion on the team.

On board 4 David played very nicely and even got the better position against GM Oral. However, in the final hour he lost his way and blundered.

Canada's 2-2 result could have easily been 2.5 or even 3.0. However, the Olympiad is just beginning and I have every expectation of better things to come.

To close today's report: our supper was indeed a surprise! A lentil type soup that met with everyone's satisfaction. The main course was a fine piece of chicken that could not have been refused by any warm-blooded human. Desert was mousse au chocolate!

We are still asking ourselves if we were dreaming!

Everyone is enjoying the Olympiad thoroughly!

More tomorrow!