"Our player had to ask the arbiter whether I was allowed to give him a banana..." — German Team Coach Jan Gustafsson

Jan Gustafsson

German GM, coach, commentator

“I really am allowed to do very, very little. I can’t go in or out, and I can’t talk. Not just with the players, but with anyone at all.

It used to be a bit more relaxed, when you were allowed to talk with other coaches or something like that. But here, I’m also not allowed to accept or decline draw offers, or to suggest them to the players. They’ve restricted all of that very heavily.

Yesterday I wasn’t even allowed, and it depends a bit on how strict the arbiter is, I wasn’t even allowed to put water bottles at the board. Alex had to ask the arbiter whether I was allowed to give him a banana. But that’s a bit dependent on the arbiter.

But, on the one hand it’s of course understandable because of anti-cheating. They’ve become extremely strict when it comes to communication. So, the coach’s role during the match is really quite administrative.

Of course, you still want to be there in case there’s a dispute or something unforeseen, but yes, my powers are very limited during the match.”