I saw a brief discussion of his not playing in 2022, but nothing for this year. In general though, it's $$$ (or in this case, presumably, €€€). Elite players typically received large honoraria in the old days; now, with sponsorship and bigger prize funds for elite events, they're less of a factor. Honoraria and prize funds don't apply to the Olympics, so players typically get paid by their federations. If they don't get what they deem to be enough, they (often) don't play.
With all due respect: While this is purely hypothetical, I don't think US would have been slight favourites with Nakamura. Indians are so much younger and more competitive. Fabi is great so far, but: Wesley So is just not used to play that seriously anymore (where a draw might not be enough and you have to keep the game open). All the others (despite Aronians fine score, but take his first round game) aren't convincing so far either.
I also don't think, Erigaisi playing board 3 is bizarre. While Gukesh and Prag come from candidates, getting used to play high level competition every round, Erigaisi has raised his ELO playing Opens and weaker round robins (which should not distract from his great results). You need one player to win constantly on the lower boards and they obviously thought Erigaisi would be best suited for this task, given his latest experience.
I rearead your comment: "Erigaisi (who, bizarrely, is allowed to play on board 3, despite being the world’s #4 and the highest-rated Indian player) "
If you refer with "is allowed" to the rules and think, the teams should have a strict ELO sorted line-up prescribed by the rules, I'm not with you either. But as your intention behind this comment is not totally clear to me, I won't go into more detail.
Any word on why Firouzja isnt playing for France?
I saw a brief discussion of his not playing in 2022, but nothing for this year. In general though, it's $$$ (or in this case, presumably, €€€). Elite players typically received large honoraria in the old days; now, with sponsorship and bigger prize funds for elite events, they're less of a factor. Honoraria and prize funds don't apply to the Olympics, so players typically get paid by their federations. If they don't get what they deem to be enough, they (often) don't play.
Interesting, thx.
Thanks for keeping us updated.
With all due respect: While this is purely hypothetical, I don't think US would have been slight favourites with Nakamura. Indians are so much younger and more competitive. Fabi is great so far, but: Wesley So is just not used to play that seriously anymore (where a draw might not be enough and you have to keep the game open). All the others (despite Aronians fine score, but take his first round game) aren't convincing so far either.
I also don't think, Erigaisi playing board 3 is bizarre. While Gukesh and Prag come from candidates, getting used to play high level competition every round, Erigaisi has raised his ELO playing Opens and weaker round robins (which should not distract from his great results). You need one player to win constantly on the lower boards and they obviously thought Erigaisi would be best suited for this task, given his latest experience.
I rearead your comment: "Erigaisi (who, bizarrely, is allowed to play on board 3, despite being the world’s #4 and the highest-rated Indian player) "
If you refer with "is allowed" to the rules and think, the teams should have a strict ELO sorted line-up prescribed by the rules, I'm not with you either. But as your intention behind this comment is not totally clear to me, I won't go into more detail.