Congratulations to Scottish IM Andy Muir who won two individual medals at the Elista Olympiad with his outstanding personal score of 6/7. This won him not only the gold medal for the best performance on board 5, but also the overall silver medal for the second best score by any male competitor.
Final team placings
| MEN | WOMEN | |||||
| 1. | Russia 1 | 35.5 | 1. | China | 29 | |
| 2. | U.S.A. | 34.5 | 2. | Russia 1 | 27 | |
| 3. | Ukraine | 32.5 | 3. | Georgia | 27 | |
| . | ||||||
| 11. | England | 30.5 | 20. | England | 22 | |
| 57.= | Ireland | 26 | 50. | Ireland | 18.5 | |
| 62.= | Scotland | 25.5 | 60.= | Scotland | 17 | |
| 62.= | Wales | 25.5 | 64.= | Wales | 16.5 | |
| 105. | Jersey | 20 | ||||
| 108. | Guernsey | 18.5 | ||||
| (110 teams) | (72 teams) | |||||
Scotland`s individual scores:
As would be expected, the going was particularly tough on the top two boards in the mens` event, but the Scots scored healthily on the lower boards. A special mention for the three women, playing without reserves, who had to play all thirteen rounds. All three scored steadily, particularly in a hot streak around the middle of the tournament.
| IM Stephen Mannion | 3/10 | Heather Lang | 5.5/13 | |
| IM Douglas Bryson | 3/9 | Helen Milligan | 6/13 | |
| FM Tim Upton | 5/9 | Lynne Morrison | 5.5/13 | |
| Alan Norris | 5.5/10 | |||
| IM Andrew Muir | 6/7 | |||
| Jonathan Grant | 3/7 | |||
13th October
In the 13th and final round, played yesterday, Russia pinched the gold medals from the U.S.A., who had led for much of the tournament, by beating the Netherlands 3.5-0.5. The U.S. could only draw with China. China, as expected, secured first place in the womens` event, though I do not yet have confirmation of all the results in this tournament.
Scotland`s last round results were as follows:
| Scotland | 2.5-1.5 | Faroe Islands | Iraq | 2-1 | Scotland | |
| S.Mannion | .5-.5 | J.Rodfaard | W.Pajar | 1-0 | H.Lang | |
| D.Bryson | 1-0 | J.Nilssen | W.Khatoo Zain | 0-1 | H.Milligan | |
| A.Norris | 0-1 | F.Rasmussen | S.Ameen | 1-0 | L.Morrison | |
| J.Grant | 1-0 | F.Naes | ||||
Selected others:
MEN
| U.S.A. | 2 - 2 | China |
| Russia 1 | 3.5 - 0.5 | Netherlands |
| England | 2 - 2 | Poland |
| Ecuador | 1 - 3 | Wales |
| Ireland | 3 - 1 | Puerto Rico |
WOMEN
| Germany | 1.5 - 1.5 | England |
| Wales | 0 - 3 | Turkey |
| Ireland | 3 - 0 | Botswana |
11th October
Unfortunately, today was another day of defeats for Scotland in the 12th, and penultimate, round of the Elista Olympiad. This time it was against South American opposition; the scores were:
| Venezuela | 2.5-1.5 | Scotland | Scotland | 0.5-2.5 | Argentina | |
| J.Rohl-Montes | 1-0 | D.Bryson | H.Lang | .5-.5 | C.Amura | |
| J.Sequera | 1-0 | T.Upton | H.Milligan | 0-1 | E.Maggiolo | |
| O.Soto-Paez | 0-1 | A.Norris | L.Morrison | 0-1 | S.Hernandez-Penna | |
| A.Aponte | .5-.5 | J.Grant |
Selected other round 12 results:
MEN
| U.S.A. | 3 - 1 | Romania |
| Russia 1 | 3 - 1 | Germany |
| Armenia | 2 - 2 | England |
| Peru | 3 - 1 | Wales |
| Mongolia | 3 - 1 | Ireland |
WOMEN
| China | 3 - 0 | Hungary |
| Georgia | 2 - 1 | Ukraine |
| Russia 1 | 2 - 1 | Netherlands |
| England | 3 - 0 | Finland |
| Macau | 0 - 3 | Wales |
| Angola | 0.5 - 2.5 | Ireland |
It`s getting very tense at the top of the mens` event. Going into the last round, the U.S.A. maintain their fragile half point lead over Russia 1. With the third placed team (Russia 2) a further point and a half behind that, it looks like the top two will battle it out for the gold. No word yet on who their respective opponents will be.
It`s rather less nailbiting in the womens` tournament, which the Chinese have dominated from early on, today extending their lead to 2.5 points. A single point tomorrow will guarantee them first place.
10th October
Today`s 11th round matches brought defeat to both Scottish teams against Baltic opposition; the men to Slovenia and the women to Bosnia.
| Slovenia | 3-1 | Scotland | Bosnia | 2-1 | Scotland | |
| A.Belyavsky | 1-0 | S.Mannion | V.Misanovic | 1-0 | H.Lang | |
| G.Mohr | .5-.5 | D.Bryson | E.Titova | 1-0 | H.Milligan | |
| D.Pavasovic | 1-0 | T.Upton | M.Hasurdzic | 0-1 | L.Morrison | |
| A.Grosar | .5-.5 | A.Norris |
The U.S.A. put the lid on English hopes, and regained their half point overall lead from Russia 1 with a 3-1 win in the mens` event. China still have pole position in the womens`, with two rounds left. Selected round 11 results:
MEN
| U.S.A. | 3 - 1 | England |
| Russia 1 | 2 - 2 | Armenia |
| Ireland | 1.5 - 2.5 | Mexico |
| Wales | 3 - 1 | Russia 4 |
WOMEN
| China | 1.5 - 1.5 | Russia 1 |
| Georgia | 2 - 1 | Romania |
| Estonia | 2 - 1 | England |
| Portugal | 3 - 0 | Ireland |
| South Africa | 2.5 - 0.5 | Wales |
Standings after round 11:
| MEN | WOMEN | |||||
| 1. | U.S.A. | 29.5 | 1. | China | 24.5 | |
| 2. | Russia 1 | 29 | 2. | Georgia | 23 | |
| 3. | Russia 2 | 28.5 | 3. | Russia 1 | 22.5 | |
| 4-5 | Ukraine | 27.5 | 4. | Hungary | 21 | |
| Romania | 27.5 | |||||
| 30. | England | 17.5 | ||||
| 10. | England | 26.5 | 49. | Scotland | 15.5 | |
| 57. | Ireland | 22 | 61. | Wales | 13.5 | |
| 63. | Scotland | 21.5 | 66. | Ireland | 13 | |
| 64. | Wales | 21.5 | ||||
9th October
Again, contrasting fortunes for the two Scottish teams in today`s 10th round, though let us not forget that the Vietnamese womens` team also beat Georgia by the same scoreline earlier in the competition!
| Scotland | 4-0 | Cyprus | Scotland | 0-3 | Vietnam | |
| S.Mannion | 1-0 | H.Ipsarides | H.Lang | 0-1 | T.Hoang Th. | |
| D.Bryson | 1-0 | A.Antoniou | H.Milligan | 0-1 | L.Kim | |
| T.Upton | 1-0 | M Schinis | H.Morrison | 0-1 | T.Nguyen | |
| A.Norris | 1-0 | A.Georghiou |
Selected other results: MEN
| U.S.A. | 2 - 2 | Russia 2 |
| Russia 1 | 3 - 1 | Ukraine |
| England | 3 - 1 | France |
| Austria | 4 - 0 | Wales |
| Ireland | 2 - 2 | Peru |
WOMEN
| China | 1 - 2 | Georgia |
| Cuba | 2 - 1 | England |
| Wales | 2 - 1 | Nigeria |
| Ireland | 3 - 0 | Lebanon |
So, with three rounds left, Russia 1 take a half point overall lead from the U.S.A. in the mens` event, while the Chinese women still have a clear two point lead over Georgia and Russia 2, despite today`s defeat.
8th October
Details of round 9 - played today - are below. Firstly here is confirmation of the results in yesterday`s 8th round:
| Yemen | 2-2 | Scotland | Scotland | 2-1 | Turkey | |
| H Al Hadarani | 1-0 | S Mannion | H Lang | 1-0 | N Cinak | |
| Y Faraj | 1-0 | D Bryson | H Milligan | 0-1 | E Sanli | |
| Z Al-Zendani | 0-1 | T Upton | L Morrison | 1-0 | F Oney | |
| K Al Subaihi | 0-1 | A Muir |
Other round 8 results:
MEN
| U.S.A. | 2 - 2 | Bulgaria |
| Russia 1 | 3 - 1 | Belarus |
| England | 2.5 - 1.5 | Ukraine |
| Brazil | 3 - 1 | Wales |
| Ireland | 2.5 - 1.5 | Poland |
WOMEN
| China | 2.5 - 0.5 | Poland |
| Belarus | 2 - 1 | England |
| Mongolia | 2.5 - 0.5 | Wales |
| Ireland | 3 - 0 | Macau |
And so to round 9, and contrasting fortunes for the Scottish teams. The men fell to a "local derby" defeat by Wales, while the women - now unbeaten in four matches - recorded a whitewash over Venezuela.
| Scotland | 1-3 | Wales | Venezuela | 0-3 | Scotland | |
| S Mannion | .5-.5 | J Cobb | M Blanco | 0-1 | H Lang | |
| A Norris | 0-1 | A Dyce | M Ubaldo | 0-1 | H Milligan | |
| A Muir | .5-.5 | W Saunders | A Martinez | 0-1 | L Morrison | |
| J Grant | 0-1 | M Binks |
Also in round 9:
MEN
| U.S.A. | 2.5 - 1.5 | France |
| Russia 1 | 2.5 - 1.5 | England |
| Yugoslavia | 3 - 1 | Ireland |
WOMEN
| China | 2 - 1 | Netherlands |
| Georgia | 3 - 0 | Estonia |
| England | 3 - 0 | Mongolia |
| France | 2.5 - 0.5 | Wales |
| Ireland | 2.5 - 0.5 | Japan |
With four rounds left, things are hotting up at the top of the fields. Leading standings are:
| MEN | WOMEN | |||||
| 1. | U.S.A. | 24.5 | 1. | China | 22 | |
| 2-3 | Russia 1 | 24 | 2. | Georgia | 19 | |
| Russia 2 | 24 | 3. | Russia 1 | 18 | ||
| 4. | Ukraine | 23 | 4-6 | Ukraine | 17.5 | |
| 5-11 | Bulgaria | 22.5 | Romania | 17.5 | ||
| France | 22.5 | Greece | 17.5 | |||
| Germany | 22.5 | |||||
| Armenia | 22.5 | 29. | Scotland | 14.5 | ||
| England | 22.5 | |||||
| Romania | 22.5 | |||||
| Hungary | 22.5 | |||||
| . | ||||||
| 76.= | Scotland | 16.5 | ||||
China and Georgia are finally due to come head-to-head in round 10 of the womens` event. A heavy win for China would give them a surely unassailable lead, while a big win for Georgia would throw the event open again. Watch this space!
In the mens`, USA take on Russia 2 and Russia 1 play the Ukraine.
7th October
In round 8 of the Olympiad played earlier today the Scottish mens` team has drawn 2-2 with Yemen, and the womens` team has beaten Turkey 2-1. As usual, I will put up the individual scores when I have them.
Scotland`s individual results in round 7:
| Scotland | 3-1 | Un. Arab Emirates | Switzerland | 1.5-1.5 | Scotland | |
| Upton | .5-.5 | Maje | Lematschko | .5-.5 | Lang | |
| Norris | .5-.5 | Altaher | Schmid | .5-.5 | Milligan | |
| Muir | 1-0 | Abdulkhaleq | Schneider | .5-.5 | Morrison | |
| Grant | 1-0 | Shaheen |
6th October
Today is a rest day in Elista. In yesterday`s seventh round Scotland`s men got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win over the United Arab Emirates, and the womens` team drew 1.5-1.5 with Switzerland.
Other 7th round results:
MEN
| U.S.A. | 2 - 2 | Ukraine |
| Bulgaria | 3 - 1 | Russia 1 |
| England | 3.5 - 0.5 | Lithuania |
| Ireland | 3 - 1 | Lebanon |
| Wales | 3.5 - 0.5 | Singapore |
WOMEN
| China | 3 - 0 | Ukraine |
| Poland | 3 - 0 | England |
| Wales | 3 - 0 | New Zealand |
| U.A.E. | 3 - 0 | Ireland |
Round 6 individual results:
| South Africa | 2.5-1.5 | Scotland | Ireland | 0-3 | Scotland | |
| W Kobese | 1-0 | S Mannion | Quinn | 0-1 | Lang | |
| K Solomon | .5-.5 | D Bryson | O`Shaugnessy | 0-1 | Milligan | |
| C De Villiers | .5-.5 | T Upton | Ui Leighleis | 0-1 | Morrison | |
| D Cawdery | .5-.5 | A Muir |
4th October
News is now flowing in thick and fast from the Olympiad in Kalmykia, with news of rounds four, five and six. As reported yesterday, Scotland`s men recorded their first match win in round 4, against Singapore, while the women drew with an International Blind Select side. Individual results were as follows:
| Scotland | 3-1 | Singapore | I.B.C.A. | 1.5-1.5 | Scotland | |
| Upton | 1-0 | Chan | Zsiltsova | 1-0 | Lang | |
| Norris | 1-0 | Tan Chun | Debowsca | .5-.5 | Milligan | |
| Muir | 1-0 | Massie | Maeckelbergh | 0-1 | Morrison | |
| Grant | 0-1 | Leong |
Some other 4th round results:
MEN
| U.S.A. | 1.5 - 2.5 | Russia 1 |
| Kazakhstan | 1 - 3 | England |
| Angola | 1.5 - 2.5 | Ireland |
| Faroe Islands | 3.5 - 0.5 | Wales |
WOMEN
| England | 1.5 - 1.5 | Russia 2 |
| Philippines | 2 - 1 | Wales |
| New Zealand | 2 - 1 | Ireland |
Round 5 brought the mens teams` unbeaten record to a juddering halt, with a whitewash by Brazil. The women also lost, to Austria:
| Brazil | 4-0 | Scotland | Scotland | 1-2 | Austria | |
| Vescovi | 1-0 | Mannion | Lang | 0-1 | Mira | |
| Sunye Neto | 1-0 | Bryson | Milligan | 1-0 | Borek | |
| Lima | 1-0 | Norris | Morrison | 0-1 | Sommer | |
| Pelikian | 1-0 | Grant |
Also in round 5:
MEN
| England | 1.5 - 2.5 | Israel |
| Ecuador | 1 - 3 | Ireland |
| Wales | 3.5 - 0.5 | Nicaragua |
WOMEN
| Argentina | 0.5 - 2.5 | England |
| Ireland | 0.5 - 2.5 | Australia |
| Wales | 1.5 - 1.5 | U.A.E. |
Latest update
A second victory for the womens` side in round 6: 3-0 over Ireland. Confirmation of the individual results is not yet through. However, since Scotland have only three in their squad it shouldn`t be hard to figure out! The men fell to a second defeat, this time a narrow one (2.5-1.5) to South Africa:
Other home country results:
MEN
| England | 2.5 - 1.5 | Canada |
| Ireland | 1.5 - 2.5 | Azerbaijan |
| Yemen | 2 - 2 | Wales |
WOMEN
| England | 2 - 1 | Greece |
| Wales | 1.5 - 1.5 | Puerto Rico |
After six rounds, the U.S. lead the field in the mens` event, with 18 points, despite a narrow defeat to Russia 1 in round 4. Russia 1 are half a point behind, with the Ukraine and Bulgaria a further point behind on 16.5. England are one of nine teams in joint 12th with 15 points. Scotland are joint 73rd with 10.5, with Wales and Ireland a littel in front of them, on 11 and 12 points respectively. Placings are calculated on game points rather than match points. There are 110 teams.
In the womens` event, China (14.5) have a full point and a half advantage over second place Ukraine, with Romania, Georgia and Estonia in joint third on 12.5 - the strong Georgian side suffering from that shock 3-0 defeat to Vietnam in round 3. Russia 1 have 12 points, and England are one of a cluster with 11.5. Scotland are now joint 45th, with 8; Wales are below them with 7, and Ireland are now left struggling near the bottom of the 72 team field on 4.5 points.
3rd October
The team I have referred to as "Blind" over the last couple of days are apparently an International Blind Select side, against whom Scotland`s men drew in round 3. In round 4 it was the women`s turn to play a Blind Select team - they have also drawn, 1.5-1.5.
The men, meanwhile, have broken their sequence of draws by registering a 3-1 win over Singapore, and so remain unbeaten after four rounds. Individual results will hopefully be through for tomorrow.
3rd round individual results:
| Scotland | 2-2 | I.B.S. | Botswana | 1-2 | Scotland | |
| Mannion | .5-.5 | Krylov | Mudongo | 0-1 | Lang | |
| Bryson | 0-1 | Berlinsky | Sabure | 0-1 | Milligan | |
| Upton | .5-.5 | Bischoff | Motsumi | 1-0 | Morrison | |
| Muir | 1-0 | Mora-Manez |
Other 3rd round results: MEN
| Argentina | 1.5 - 2.5 | U.S.A. |
| Romania | 1.5 - 2.5 | Russia 1 |
| England | 2.5 - 1.5 | Azerbaijan |
| Wales | 2.5 - 1.5 | Lebanon |
| Ireland | 3.5 - 0.5 | Russia 4 |
WOMEN
| England | 2.5 - 0.5 | Bangladesh |
| Wales | 0.5 - 2.5 | Slovenia |
| US Virgin Islands | 0 - 3 | Ireland |
And, if it is correctly reported, Georgia`s women lost 3-0 to Vietnam! I`ll check this.
2nd October
Scotland`s men are becoming the draw specialists of this year`s Olympiad, scoring their third 2-2 in three matches against Blind in round 3. The women got going with a 2-1 win over Botswana. More details tomorrow.
1st October
In yesterday`s second round in Kalmykia, Scotland`s men again drew 2-2, this time with Mongolia, while the women were turned over 3-0 by Australia. The teams now go on to face Blind and Botswana respectively.
Selected 2nd round results:
MEN
| Mongolia | 2 - 2 | Scotland |
| China | 2 - 2 | Ukraine |
| U.S.A. | 3.5 - 0.5 | Kyrgyzstan |
| Russia 1 | 3.5 - 0.5 | Chile |
| Australia | 1 - 3 | England |
| Ireland | 1 - 3 | Zimbabwe |
| Angola | 2 - 2 | Wales |
WOMEN
| Scotland | 0 - 3 | Australia |
| Romania | 2.5 - 1.5 | England |
| Switzerland | 1.5 - 1.5 | Wales |
| Ireland | 0 - 3 | Sweden |
Here is the breakdown of the Scottish first and second round results, including the mens` excellent 2-2 draw with The Netherlands (who went on to lose to Bangladesh in round 2! Bangladesh had already given England a scare the previous day).
ROUND 1
| Scotland | 2-2 | The Netherlands | Scotland | 0.5-2.5 | Croatia | |
| S.Mannion | .5-.5 | J.Timman | H.Lang | .5-.5 | Medic | |
| D.Bryson | 0-1 | L.Van Wely | H.Milligan | 0-1 | Macek | |
| T.Upton | .5-.5 | J.Piket | H.Morrison | 0-1 | Puljek-Salai | |
| A.Norris | 1-0 | E.Van Den Doel |
ROUND 2
| Mongolia | 2-2 | Scotland | Scotland | 0-3 | Australia | |
| Hatanbataar | 1-0 | Mannion | Lang | 0-1 | Phan-Koshnitsky | |
| Sharavdorj | .5-.5 | Norris | Milligan | 0-1 | Mills | |
| Altanoch | 0-1 | Muir | Morrison | 0-1 | Szuveges | |
| Surendorj | .5-.5 | Grant |
30th September
The Chess Palace in Elista finally opened for business yesterday for the first round of the Olympiad. The Scottish mens` team pulled off one of the shocks of the round by recording a 2-2 draw against The Netherlands - I don`t have any more information than this at present. Top seeds Russia opened with a win, while the much fancied English team struggled to beat Bangladesh. Scotland now play Mongolia in round 2.
Scotland`s women, meanwhile, went down 2.5-0.5 to Croatia and now take on Australia in the second round. Top seeds Georgia and China both opened with 2-1 wins.
Selected 1st round results:
MEN
| Scotland | 2 - 2 | Netherlands |
| Wales | 0.5 - 3.5 | Estonia |
| Germany | 3.5 - 0.5 | Ireland |
| Russia 1 | 3.5 - 0.5 | Austria |
| Bangladesh | 1.5 - 2.5 | England |
| Ukraine | 4 - 0 | Tajikistan |
| Iran | 0 - 4 | U.S.A. |
WOMEN
| Scotland | 0.5 - 2.5 | Croatia |
| Italy | 0.5 - 2.5 | England |
| Moldova | 2 - 1 | Wales |
| Ireland | 0 - 3 | India |
| Latvia | 1 - 2 | China |
| Georgia | 2 - 1 | Finland |
29th September
Hopefully, the Olympiad will be underway today, just a day or two behind schedule, with FIDE promising the Chess Palace would be ready in time. Scotland`s men have a tough first round draw against The Netherlands, while the women take on Croatia.
| Scotland | - | The Netherlands | Scotland | - | Croatia | |
| Mannion | - | Timman | Lang | - | Medic | |
| Bryson | - | Van Wely | Milligan | - | Macek | |
| Upton | - | Piket | Morrison | - | Puljek-Salai | |
| Norris | - | Van Den Doel |
Results will appear as soon as I have them.
27th September
The start of the 1998 Olympiad in Elista has
been delayed, as the new Chess Palace which is to host the event is not yet
complete, due to the recent crisis in Russia. September 27th and 28th have been
declared rest days, and some of the early rounds may have to be spread round
alternative venues. The event has been reduced from 14 to 13 rounds.
More
information will appear here when it becomes available.