Russian Women 1 have the gold locked up, they can mail it in tomorrow and still win, evidently. China, whom some (who shall remain nameless) had counted out about 4 rounds ago, is in place to win a medal, as is Ukraine, Georgia and - well, you can read all about it at Susan Polgar's blog:
Top Standings (Open and Women) After R10
Possible Medal Scenarios for Open and Women (like figuring out the wild cards in the NFL)
I've lost interest since neither American team is in the medal hunt - I've been concentrating on the Family Tree project, realizing about 4 days ago that I've still got much to do on my family's tree and more to do yet on a couple of Tree projects that I'm doing as surprise gifts.
Report on Russian Women 1's win at official website. The Russian press is acting like it's a miracle, which is pretty funny, actually, considering how strong the team is; but then, since the Russian Open and Women's Teams didn't do squat in Dresden in 2008 a lot of pressure was/is on the players this year to WIN, and thereby prove that a tolatarian regime where most of the top players no longer live in the country because it absolutely sucks to do so is still a mighty chess power with nuclear weapons and He-Man Putin, the man behind the curtain. Cough cough. So, kudos to the Russian Women 1. The Kosintseva sisters are fab, darlings. I really would like to see them mix it up a lot more in open tournaments against higher rated male players instead of staying in the women's ratings ghetto. I really would like to see them move elsewhere and earn a decent living for their chessly efforts. Sigh.
US Open Team (Men) are in 14th place. US Women are in 8th place. There is day off tomorrow, which is very strange since then 1 game and closing take place on Sunday. What a silly schedule. The players would probably have benefited most from a 4 game/off day/4 game/off day/3 games schedule. Perhaps the rationale behind this schedule was to give the Russian teams a day off for prep before the final round - but it cuts all ways as the other teams who are in the hunt for medals also get time for more prep. Best scenario on Sunday in my book: Ivanchuk of Ukraine is the hero!
Judit Polgar watch:
Polgar is playing Board 3 on the Hungarian Open Team, which is currently in 5th place after R10 in possibly in medal contention (see link to SP's blog above - Possible Medal Scenarios...). Judit had two losses out of 9 games and played 9 straight; she did not play R10. Her score is 5.5/9 which is not the best on her team, but her performance rating is 2712 so that's good (it's above her current ELO of 2682).
Since R11 will be crucial to Hungary's chances for a medal, I expect she will play unless she is on her death bed.
There is excellent news for Canada today: IM Thomas Roussel-Roozmon earned his third GM norm and with the ratings points earned at the Olympiad, will qualify for the GM title! Hooray! Here is the info:
IM Thomas Roussel-Roozmon 2484 CAN 6,5/9 (with no losses) PR 2600 ELO + 16.3
Team Canada started in 53rd in the Open and is currently in 41st, an excellent showing with one more round to fight for higher position.
Canadian Women, who started in 58th place, are in 53rd place after R10, so they are still playing to move up in final position. Here are the stats for the Canadian women through R10:
53. Canada (CAN / RtgAvg:2054, Captain: Shi, Shao Min / TB1: 10 / TB2: 185,5)
Bo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Pts. Games Rp w we w-we K rtg+/-
1 WIM Yuan Yuanling 2189 CAN 1 0 1 ½ 1 0 1 1 1 1 7,5 10 2317 6,5 4,05 2,45 15 36,8
2 WIM Kagramanov Dina 2086 CAN 1 1 1 0 1 0 ½ 0 4,5 8 2075 3,5 2,91 0,59 15 8,9
3 Lacau-Rodean Iulia 2024 CAN ½ ½ 0 1 0 0 1 ½ 3,5 8 1936 3 2,87 0,13 15 2,0
4 Orlova Yelizaveta 1917 CAN 1 1 0 ½ 1 0 0 3,5 7 1945 2,5 1,86 0,64 15 9,6
5 Kagramanov Dalia 1866 CAN 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3,0 7 1810 2 2,21 -0,21 15 -3,2
As you can see, WIM Yuan Yuanling is the best on the team and the workhorse - playing 10 out of 10 and no doubt will be back on Board 1 on Sunday to try and move her team up a few more notches in the final standings. Canadian Women will face Venezuela on Sunday. They started in 54th place (one below Canadian Women) and are currently in 63rd place.
By the way - Russian Women 2 play Russian Women 1 on Sunday. Yeah. Who doesn't think that Russian Women 1 will lay down to help Russian Women 2 currently in 5th place) possibly into medal contention? But perhaps I'm being overly cynical, darlings :)
I'll be back on the Olympiad Sunday to do a wrap-up.
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