11-08-2014, 02:06 PM
Sun Aug 10 – Round 8 –We wiz robbed
Bo. 31 Italy (ITA) Rtg - 52 Scotland (SCO) Rtg 2½:1½
23.1 IM Zimina, Olga 2327 - GM Arakhamia-Grant, Ketevan 2394 ½ - ½
23.2 IM Sedina, Elena 2291 - Roy, Ali 1913 1 - 0
23.3 WFM Gueci, Tea 2074 - WFM Groves, Carey 2027 1 - 0
23.4 WFM Messina, Roberta 2042 - WFM Durno, Joy 1862 0 - 1
It is a surprise to find our reward for a loss to Slovenia is to be paired against our highest seeded opponents so far, Italy. In principle pairings are on a top v bottom half basis for each score group with teams ranked by match points then game points then...it becomes a little complicated. More details at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://chess24.com/en/olympiad2014/official-info/rules-and-regulations">https://chess24.com/en/olympiad2014/off ... egulations</a><!-- m -->
A late change of board order is necessary after Elaine has a difficult night’s sleep but the team isn’t fazed. Carey decides on a switch from the Modern to the Scandinavian, not out of respect to our hosts, just to set her young opponent fresh problems at the board. The game becomes a struggle for light squares and space but the Italian manages to seize control.
After patiently supporting the team from the sidelines, Joy comes off the bench with maximum impact. Her Semi-Slav preparation produces a nice attacking position with bishops, queen and knight all pointing towards the Black king. Joy takes a knight on d7 which can’t be captured because of a beautiful Bxh7+ tactic and the crowd think it is all over. Jo threatens mate with Qxd3 and after ...f5 could win in great style by Nxf8 sacrificing the queen but gaining two rooks and knight. The moment passes but Joy continues to press before winning a rook ending slowly but surely. So everyone will return home with at least one win.
Keti switches sides in the Accelerated Dragon and quickly reaches an advantage with Black as well. White decides to sacrifice the exchange to change the character of the duel which is a wise choice. Still Keti can return the material in different ways but should aim to get a bishop rather than the knight. The position simplifies and, with a minute left on her clock, Keti is offered a draw. She decides to check with her captain – “Decide for yourself” – and then takes the draw. 1.5-1.5 all and an upset is on the cards.
Ali’s opponent Sedina is an experienced IM brought up in the Soviet (Ukraine) school of chess. Ali’s prep against the French goes well and Black consumes an hour searching for a good plan. Black seeks refuge in rook and knight ending though White isn’t troubled. It all comes down to playing on the increments with reduced material all on one side. Ali plays Rg6 and suddenly the door is shut by ...Ng4. Loss of material is unavoidable. It is a frustrating end to one of our best fights of the Olympiad.
Bo. 31 Italy (ITA) Rtg - 52 Scotland (SCO) Rtg 2½:1½
23.1 IM Zimina, Olga 2327 - GM Arakhamia-Grant, Ketevan 2394 ½ - ½
23.2 IM Sedina, Elena 2291 - Roy, Ali 1913 1 - 0
23.3 WFM Gueci, Tea 2074 - WFM Groves, Carey 2027 1 - 0
23.4 WFM Messina, Roberta 2042 - WFM Durno, Joy 1862 0 - 1
It is a surprise to find our reward for a loss to Slovenia is to be paired against our highest seeded opponents so far, Italy. In principle pairings are on a top v bottom half basis for each score group with teams ranked by match points then game points then...it becomes a little complicated. More details at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://chess24.com/en/olympiad2014/official-info/rules-and-regulations">https://chess24.com/en/olympiad2014/off ... egulations</a><!-- m -->
A late change of board order is necessary after Elaine has a difficult night’s sleep but the team isn’t fazed. Carey decides on a switch from the Modern to the Scandinavian, not out of respect to our hosts, just to set her young opponent fresh problems at the board. The game becomes a struggle for light squares and space but the Italian manages to seize control.
After patiently supporting the team from the sidelines, Joy comes off the bench with maximum impact. Her Semi-Slav preparation produces a nice attacking position with bishops, queen and knight all pointing towards the Black king. Joy takes a knight on d7 which can’t be captured because of a beautiful Bxh7+ tactic and the crowd think it is all over. Jo threatens mate with Qxd3 and after ...f5 could win in great style by Nxf8 sacrificing the queen but gaining two rooks and knight. The moment passes but Joy continues to press before winning a rook ending slowly but surely. So everyone will return home with at least one win.
Keti switches sides in the Accelerated Dragon and quickly reaches an advantage with Black as well. White decides to sacrifice the exchange to change the character of the duel which is a wise choice. Still Keti can return the material in different ways but should aim to get a bishop rather than the knight. The position simplifies and, with a minute left on her clock, Keti is offered a draw. She decides to check with her captain – “Decide for yourself” – and then takes the draw. 1.5-1.5 all and an upset is on the cards.
Ali’s opponent Sedina is an experienced IM brought up in the Soviet (Ukraine) school of chess. Ali’s prep against the French goes well and Black consumes an hour searching for a good plan. Black seeks refuge in rook and knight ending though White isn’t troubled. It all comes down to playing on the increments with reduced material all on one side. Ali plays Rg6 and suddenly the door is shut by ...Ng4. Loss of material is unavoidable. It is a frustrating end to one of our best fights of the Olympiad.