Home Page arrow Chess Life Online arrow 2008 arrow November arrow Medal Chances for America
Medal Chances for America Print E-mail
November 24, 2008
hikarulead.jpg
GM Hikaru Nakamura won a clutch game in the round ten U.S-Germany match. Photo FM Mike Klein
In the final round of the Dresden Olympiad , the U.S. men face Ukraine and the women play France. Both American teams have a chance at medaling, although destiny is not entirely in our hands- tiebreaks and the results of other teams are also a major factor. The women, who beat Uzbekistan in the penultimate round, 3.5-.5 have excellent tiebreaks, so they have even better medaling chances than the American men, who just came off a great 2.5-1.5 win against Germany (games below). The final matches will be played on Tuesday at 4 AM EST. 

Women's captain Michael Khodarkovsky said that against France, "We have to throw the kitchen at them." To medal U.S. needs to win the match of first of all, and then watch the other results come in. The best would be to have two decisive results in Poland-Ukraine (preference to Poland, to avoid a tiebreak comeback on their part) and Georgia-Serbia.

AnnaZ.jpg
Anna Zatonskih in Dresden.Photo FM Mike Klein
The men's chances for medaling are even more difficult to compute because there are more teams, but it's clear that they first have to focus on winning their match. For an amusing rundown, check out chessninja.com. Captain IM John Donaldson said, "These guys are stone-cold pros. They want it as bad as anyone wants it." USA has played 7 of the top 15 teams in their 11 rounds. "We are going through the grinder," John said, "We just have to play the match with Ukraine and do our best. If we catch a break here or there we will get a medal."

Round 10 Games

2635

2637

2638

2636


yury.jpg
GM Yury Shulma. Photo FM Mike Klein



 
Read or Write Comments on this Article
(2 so far)
Advertisement

November - Chess Life Online 2008

UTD Invitational Update Hilton Blogs from Dresden, Part II Julio Becerra Wins Turkey Bowl Norm Tournaments Kick off in DallasU.S. Teams Celebrate Bronze MedalsU.S. Men Win Bronze Too!! Women Take Bronze!! Medal Chances for AmericaLeaders Falter in Dresden USCF Statement on Susan PolgarBiennial Border BattleU.S. Women Beat Russia!Onischuk and Rohonyan Score Big Wins Kinks in Kamsky Match Resolved Big Tests for Americans in Round SevenVictory in Round Six for USA Sarkar Takes Northern Virginia Open Rested Squads Resume ActionU.S. Chess League SemiFinals TonightKamsky-Topalov Negotiated on Rest DayHilton Blogs From Dresden Three-Way Tie in King's Island USA Cruises in Round 5 44th American Open Coming UpGM Rogers on Hits and Misses at the Olympiad Josh on Getting Close at the ContinentalUSA Almost Perfect in Round 3King's Island Kicks OffUSA Stumbles in Round TwoRound 1 Wraps; Round 2 DelayIrina's Dresden Gallery Let the Games Begin in Dresden California Dreamin' in Texas Response from Bulgaria on Kamsky TopalovBoston, Carolina, Miami and Dallas Make USCL Semis William Addison, 1933-2008Gata Speaks on Topalov MatchLarry Kaufman World Senior Champion! Ehlvest Wins Continental and World Cup Spot Larry in Clear Lead at World SeniorOpen Letter on Topalov Kamsky from USCF Ehlvest pulls away at the Continental Action Set for BrownsvilleNew Jersey Knocked OutLarry Kaufman Tied for Lead at World SeniorFour GMs Lead Four Rounds into the Continental Dallas Stomps Belgrade in Intercollegiate MatchIM Kaufman Reports from the World Senior

Announcements