2010 Chess Olympiad: Round #8

Richard Conn, a dapper Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov on the floor during the FIDE Assembly. FIDE’s Nigel Freeman and Kirsan Ilyumzhinov at the head table. Ilyumzhinov would win another term as FIDE President. Photos by Europe-Echecs.com.

Round #8 Analysis: Before all the games were completed today. Word was circulating in the hall that the incumbent Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was re-elected as the FIDE President. His ticket defeated the Anatoly Karpov 95-55. He has been in office since 1995 and will serve an additional four years.

The 2010 Chess Olympiad is winding down and the open section is beginning to shape up into a thrilling ending. The heavily-anticipated match between the top seeds Russia 1 and the Ukraine took place and characteristically ended in a draw. Vladimir Kramnik was able to stop the Ivanchuk’s avalanche of wins and the two split the point. Ivanchuk is now on 6½/7 and went from 3382 performance to a paltry 3033! Meanwhile his former teammate Sergey Karjakin has matched him with 6½/7 and a 3040 performance. The Olympiad appears to be the domain of Karjakin as he put up similar numbers for the Ukraine.

Sergey Karjakin has been the “x-factor” for the Russians. The record-holder for the world’s youngest Grandmaster at 12 years, 7 months, the Ukrainian emigre has certainly grown into a ferocious competitor in team events. His is on a dazzling 6½/7 and a 3040 performance. Photo by ugra-chess.com.

Azerbaijan-Hungary split the point in a very even battle. Armenia remained in medal contention with Gabriel “Olympus” Sargissian winning over Bartlomiej Macieja. If Sargissian played in only Olympiad environments, he’d be a 2800. He has played a big part in Armenia’s gold medals in 2006 and 2008 and may help Armenia’s last push to defend the crown. They have a gigantic match against Russia 1 tomorrow.

It is interesting that several teams have a realistic chance to push for a medal. France, Israel and Cuba has slowly crept into the picture. France board points are hurt by their close matches early on, but they are the only undefeated team besides the Ukraine. They will get a date with Georgia tomorrow in a interesting matchup. Another marquee matchup is China-Cuba. Also USA-Bulgaria should also be interesting. Hikaru Nakamura is coming off of two losses and now he faces Veslin Topalov. The field is still wide open with only two points between the top eleven positions!

Round #8 Analysis: The Russia 1 women have run roughshod over the competition with eight straight victories and a composite score of 16 points. They hold a three-point bulge over the surprising Serbian team and Russia 2. Another win would most likely clinch at least a bronze medal. They hold favorable tiebreaks over China and Russia 2. They will play Serbia tomorrow. Georgia plays Russia 2 and is most likely playing for a bronze medal. Russia 2 crushed the USA 3-1 and are one of eight teams with 12 points! USA are five points behind will be hard-pressed to make up the deficit.

Africa Diaspora Spotlight

11-year old Eli Louise of the Seychelles National Team.
Photo by ugra-chess.com.