Ukrainian team captain Vladimir Tukmakov raises trophy in victorious celebration as the players look on. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

Ukrainians turn in golden performance!

This Olympiad had a bit of intrigue… Russia did not win it. That is perhaps the biggest story besides Zurab Azmaiparashvili (and his wife) being beaten up by Spanish police at the closing ceremonies. Perhaps few gave Ukraine much of a chance as the Russian boasted a team with an average rating of over 2700! Nevertheless, this team did not have the indomitable Garry Kasparov who almost single-handedly led Russia to gold in the Bled Olympiad two years ago.

The key to the Ukraine's success was chemistry and no major lapses as a team. Vassily Ivanchuk provided stable leadership and was in form while his youthful teammates fell in lock-step toward the gold. Ruslan Ponomariov seemed detached and was not in form, but the team victory is perhaps restitution for the stripping of his world title. After Armenia's repeat of the bronze, teams from the USA and Israel  made impressions, but could not win big matches against the stronger teams. Incidentally, both teams were comprised entirely of strong Russian émigrés. Both also improved on their Bled Olympiad performance… USA (#4, up 37 places), Israel (#5,  up four places).

India was actually in many conversations as a medal contender. In the India press, an article titled, "How India dropped the baton," expressed disappointment in not holding at least the 3rd position. India got off on the wrong foot by missing a flight on a 40-hour trip and arriving only hours before the first round… they scraped by Uruguay 2½-1½. A crucial loss to Cuba (with Anand resting) was a key moment.  In an Olympiad interview, Anand stated that his resting did not lead to the loss, but were due to a number of other factors. Nevertheless, the ground swell of chess activity in India is about to pay off and in 2006 (Turin, Italy) and 2008 (Dresden, Germany), India could strike gold.

No "Gwaze Magic" this year

Several African teams decided not to travel to Mallorca for a variety of reasons. Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Zambia and Zimbabwe were  such teams. Egypt's African crown was overtaken by South Africa this year. Unfortunately, there would be no "Gwaze magic" this year. This statement was made by Jamaica's Ian Wilkinson in reference to Robert Gwaze's sizzling 9-0 performance in Bled. Barbados' Kevin Denny had also expressed hopes of meeting Zimbabwe's Gwaze in Mallorca. However, both Botswana and Kenya would provide African magic by winning team prizes.

West Indians discover Spain!

Christopher Columbus was commissioned by the King and Queen of Spain to "discover" the New World. The explorer traveled in search of distant lands with indigenous treasures to plunder, but landed in a place that he ultimately labeled the "West Indies." Columbus had mistakenly believed he was in India! He summarily decimated the population and later Africans would be brought to these lands as slaves. More than 500 years later, subjects of the Caribbean journeyed back to the land that gave birth to what is commonly known as the "West Indies."

Players from the Caribbean actually have a multitude of histories accented by Dutch, French, English and Spanish histories. Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles fielded teams from the Dutch sector; Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico held the Spanish sector; Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago represented English Caribbean. Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands are also English-speaking territories. No French-speaking Caribbean nations were present although Martinique and Haiti have active federations. Cuba has again proven that it's rich chess history and government support will continue to produce an abundance of enthusiasm and talent.

Jamaica was crippled by Hurricane Ivan and while National Champion Warren Elliott and #3 player Jomo Pitterson could not make the trip, the beleaguered team still managed to equal their point total in the previous Olympiad.  The team in Mallorca attracted a lot of attention due to Malaku Lorne's lion's mane of dreadlocks. In addition, President Ian Wilkinson launched his wonderful book, "Magnificence in Bled: the 35th Chess Olympiad." In a fitting ceremony, players from African, Caribbean and North American federations were on hand to witness the book's unveiling. Marcus Garvey would be proud.

Report by Dr. Daaim Shabazz, The Chess Drum

Historic Moment: Barbados delegate Allan Herbert praises Ian's Wilkinson's magnanimous effort while players from Jamaica and Barbados look on. Presidents of Uganda and South Africa received complimentary copies in care of Jerry Bibuld. The Chief Arbiter of the Bled Olympiad Geurt Gijssen and FIDE official Boris Kutin were also present at the unveiling and received complimentary copies. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.