Entering the thirteenth and penultimate round, the consistent Ukrainians have amassed 34.5 points and in the process managed to stretch their lead to 3.5 points over Russia in second (on tie-breaks) with 31 points, the same as the Armenians. To their credit, although losing all of three matches (!!!), the defending champions have continued to fight to the bitter end. Nonetheless, all bets are on Ukraine to take home their first Olympiad title. Unlike the Georgian women in the Bled Olympiad who crumbled in the last few rounds, Ukraine have stood firm like the rock of Gibraltar.

GM Ruslan Ponomariov has not been impressive but the other Ukrainians, especially the youngsters Karjakin and Volokitin, have stepped in to fill the breach and their contributions have been invaluable. The performance by "Chucky´s Gladiators" epitomises the perfect combination of age (ooops...sorry experience!) blended with the energy and exuberance of youth. Of course, Ivanchuk´s unquestioned class buttressed by his display of stamina have been influential.

Ukraine played well in round 11 to beat an ambitious Cuban team 3-1, GM Vassily Ivanchuk again playing superbly to conquer the vastly improved GM Lenier Dominguez on board 1. Ponomariov´s loss to 2000 world junior champion GM Lazaro Bruzon on board 2 did not damper the victories by Volokitin and Karjakin on boards 3 and 4 against GM Jesus Nogueiras and IM Yuniesky Quezada, respectively.

In round 12, the men from Kiev with victories from GM Pavel Eljanov and Karjakin against GMs Robert Kempinski and Bartosz Socko on boards 3 and 4, respectively, did just enough to beat Poland 2.5-1.5 after the experienced GM Michal Krasenkow defeated Volokitin on board 2 and on the top board Ivanchuk drew with GM Bartlomiej Macieja. Ukraine face Georgia in the 13th round and are likely to rest Ivanchuk and Karjakin who are possible prizewinners for their respective boards. Four quick draws are predicted as their lead seems unassailable.

An interesting battle lies ahead for the silver and bronze medals. Armenia will face France, the "Francophones", on 28.5 points still in a slim chance with reaping something from the tournament. Russia come up against Cuba, "Capablanca´s Warriors" sitting confidently in 5th position on 30 points and in with a great chance of medalling. Israel, 4th on 30.5 points, face the USA, who are 6th on 29.5 points while India (7th on 29 points) will clash against Poland, 10th on 28.5 points. Bulgaria, 9th on 28.5 points, also cannot be ruled out as they will play Greece 12th on the same number of points. Next come Azerbaijan, China, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany and Hungary all on 28 points occupying positions 13 to 18, respectively. The hosts, Spain A and Uzbekistan (led by FIDE KO champion GM Rustam Khasimdzhanov) round off the top twenty on 27.5 each.

With exhaustion setting in, the Jamaicans, in 108th position with 19.5 points, are defiantly battling against teams fighting hard for points to finish on a high. A 1.5-2.5 loss to Cyprus in round 11 was followed by a 2-2 draw with Jersey in round 12 as national masters Duane Rowe and Russel Porter continue to hold the team together in the last few rounds. Shane Matthews (board 1) and Ras Malaku Lorne (board 4) are clearly suffering from fatigue and with team captain (and "reserved reserve"!!) Wilkinson attending various important meetings there are no reserves available. The team, weakened as it is by the absence of key players, has set itself the goal of at least matching the score in the last Olympiad (23.5 points), a tough task right now.

Barbados lost 1.5-2.5 to Surinam in round 11 but returned in round 12 to beat San Marino 3.5-0.5. The Barbadians look to have renewed confidence and are in 96th position on 21.5 points. They will face Panama (on 21) in the 13th round.

Caribbean neighbours Trinidad &Tobago are in 103rd position on 20.5 points and will face a dangerous Cyprus team in round 13. The confidence of the "Trinis" suffered a setback in round 12 when they were beaten 2.5-1.5 by Hong Kong the 13 year old schoolgirl Anya Corke dismantling the Trinidadian national champion on board two!

The Chinese women have looked vulnerable in the last two rounds falling first to the USA in the 11th round and then to Georgia in round 12. The defending champions nonetheless enter the penultimate round on 27 points, 3 more than the USA in second on tie-breaks ahead of Georgia, both teams being on 24. Barring an absolute collapse today the Chinese lead should prove insurmountable. They next face India in 6th on 22.5 points. Georgia will face fourth-placed Russia who are on 23.5 points.

GM Susan Polgar reportedly changed her initial decision not to play against her native Hungary and cried a lot before the 12th round, but nevertheless wiped away the tears in the interest of chess and defeated her former teammate IM Ildiko Madl on board one as the USA beat Hungary 2.5-1.5. The Americans will next face France who are in 5th on 23 points.