2012 Chess Olympiad: Round #2

Things are heating up in the ongoing Chess Olympiad with many teams setting the pace early. The Ukraine beat Qatar 3-1, but Vassily Ivanchuk faltered against the resiliency of Mohamed Al-Modiahki.

When it appeared that only black had winning chances, Ivanchuk blundered with 53…Rc6?? (better was 53…Qh5+) and was being mated or suffering massive losses after the winning 54.Qc8! This may be a crucial point lost, but many of the top teams have also lost points. Only Slovakia remains perfect with a whitewash of Ecuador.

The USA crushed Lithuania 3½-½ while Azerbaijan and France throttled Ireland and Peru (respectively) by the same score. Other contenders won including India (3-1 Turkey 2016), Cuba (3½-½ ICSC) and Poland (4-0 Costa Rica). Russia won 3-1 over Greece, but gave up another point as both Vladimir Kramnik and Sergey Karjakin were held.

China, another medal favorite, beat Italy with Wang Hao taking the point from Fabiano Caruana on top board. England nipped Brazil on the strength of Nigel Short’s win against 19-year old Brazilian star, Alexander Fier.

In the women’s competition, China rolled up another 4-0 romp. This time the victim was Sweden who is playing without Pia Cramling this tournament. Hou Yifan sat out for the second stright match and appears to be saving her strength for the crucial rounds.

Georgia kept pace with a 4-0 flogging of Belgium. Since the legendary Maia Chiburdanidze has “retired”, the country still remains a powerhouse in women’s chess and seek to improve on 2010’s bronze medal. Russia dropped a half-point to Brazil with Valentina Guinina on board one and Tatiana Kosintseva sitting.

The USA kept the front runners in their sights with a 3½-½ verdict over Estonia. India, who is playing with Humpy Koneru, also won 3½-½ over Australia. The loss of Humpy is huge and it is doubtful that India will be able to contend without her. In a report by The Hindu,

According to the AICF secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan, Humpy had posed a pre-condition to her participation. “She insisted that the expense of her father-coach K. Ashok in Istanbul be paid by the Federation. That was too much for us.” (see story)

Of course there are other top boards missing such as GM Marie Sebag of France and the aforementioned Cramling and Chiburdanidze. These absence will become crucial as top teams begin to meet… and tomorrow we will see. Tomorrow it is China-Ukraine, Georgia-Germany and Poland-Hungary in the top matches.