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Chess Life Online 2008 November Women Take Bronze!!
Chess Life Online 2008 November Women Take Bronze!! | Women Take Bronze!! |
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| By FM Mike Klein | |
| November 25, 2008 | |
Anna Zatonskih, Katerina Rohonyan, Irina Krush and Rusudan Goletiani on a snowy pregame walk. Photo courtesy Irina Krush.
The situation for the men is still unclear as the tiebreaks are extremely convoluted. Team Captain IM John Donaldson was joined by GMs Hikaru Nakamura, Alex Onischuk and Yasser Seirewan, but despite furious calculations, Donaldson is still not absolutely sure the men took bronze (ignominious results from team like South Africa and New Zealand are factoring in greatly to the tiebreak formula that essentially takes your score against a team multiplied by the total team points each opponent scored – now you see why Donaldson asked for a calculator). Onischuk has been pacing in the press room for about 30 minutes. Update: Chessresults.com as of 10:40 AM EST says men did get bronze. Check FM Mike Klein's report on the men for more details. For the women, they were again bolstered by wins on their bottom boards. Their first came from WGM Katerina Rohonyan, who has entered many double-edge positions but always seems to find clear air. Her 15…Nfe4! turned the position on its head. Her king took a leisurely stroll from the kingside to the queenside, but found a home on b7, and her extra bishop proved decisive. 2640 From there, WGM Anna Zatonskih drew (she also finishes the Olympiad undefeated), and Goletiani closed it out. IM Irina Krush ended up losing her game, but it did not adversely affect the tiebreaks enough to cost them anything in the final standings. 
Michael Khodarkovsky congratulates Rusudan Goletiani after her win. Photo FM Mike Klein
Ukraine and Georgia will take the top two places (their order has not been determined yet), while tournament leader Poland, who entered the round in clear first, will be the tough-luck fourth place finisher. Look for more on CLO about the men's 3.5-0.5 rout over Ukraine as well as tonight's awards ceremony. Photo Gallery 
The heroines of round 11: Katerina Rohonyan and Rusudan Goletiani.
Katerina Rohonyan, Tatev Abrahamyan, Rusudan Goletiani and Anna Zatonskih. Photo Irina Krush
Irina Krush in her final round game against Marie Sebag with captain Michael Khodarkovsky and another important spectator- Boris Spassky!
Anna Zatonskih and Irina Krush shake hands with the top two board on the French team, Almira Skripchenko and Marie Sebag
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