2016 Baku Rd8: USA versus Russia

2016 Baku Olympiad

All games start at 3 p.m. local time = 1 p.m. in Europe (CEST), one hour earlier in Britain, and 2 p.m. in Moscow. You can find the starting time at your location here.

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Round eight

What a fascinating round, with both the Open and Women competition sharing a massive Russia vs USA match at the summit. Although these were hardly the only newsworthy matches, they certainly hogged the attention of spectators by and large.

The number one match was understandably in the Open section as both teams shared a near identical average rating on the top four boards with a history that stretches back… forever. Or so it seems. Who can forget the 1986 Dubai Olympiad, 30 years ago, when the Soviet Union, with a rating average in excess of 100 Elo over the United States, was taken down in an epic match in which GM Yasser Seirawan defeated reigning World Champion Garry Kasparov on board one, to clinch it?

The match score in round eight in Dubai 1986

The author of that historic win was none other than Yasser Seirawan, captain of the US WOmen's team (see below for more on their result) and author of the wonderful DVD "My Best Games" (photo by David Llada)

Granted there were no Cold War metaphors this time round, but there is always something special about a match between the two nations.

Both teams came with their hottest players, though the US chose to replace Shankland with Robson, since although Shankland had somehow prevailed in his game the previous round by some miracle, it might be asking too much to hope lightning will strike twice.

Guess where the press was focused? (photo by E. Kublashvili)

The top board was of course Fabiano Caruana against Sergey Karjakin, and although the American did sweat a bit in the game (and US fans), he ultimately held and drew. Hikaru Nakamura’s game against Vladimir Kramnik was also a ho-hum affair, and though both came with a willingness to fight, it resulted in a dry rook endgame with no water to squeeze out of.

Wesley So has been the brightest star of the US team as far as performances go, and while every team win is a team effort, his personal contribution to their results has been 7.0/8 and a massive 2926 performance. (photo by E. Kublashvili)

The real action took place on the last boards. In fact, it was the third board that held the promise of a US victory, as Wesley So, facing a hitherto imperious Ian Nepomniachtchi, obtained a near decisive advantage in the opening, which he never let go.

Wesley So analyzes his win over Ian Nepomniachtchi

The last game seemed to scream draw throughout, as Ray Robson and Alexander Grischuk played out a dead equal endgame. There was little to say until move 35, when White suddenly no longer seemed content with the draw. Things degenerated quickly from there and to the Russians’ relief, Grischuk won and tied the match.

GMs Alejandro Ramirez and Daniel King provided video commentary on Playchess in their typically dynamic and entertaining style. (photo by Paul Truong)

This was hardly the only noteworthy match, as England and India squared off in a very tough encounter that was ultimately decided by a win by GM Sethuraman against Nigel Short on board four, giving the Indians an important victory. This put them in a tie with the United States for first.

Ahmed Adly - Edgardo Ortiz

Black had taken on e4 with his knight and White recaptured with Bxe4. Black was planning on Rxe4 until he realized what he had done. What had he missed after ...Rxe4 that caused him to resign instead?

If much has been made of the 100% score by Nepomniachtchi, a run that ended in round eight, it is time to mention the current top scoring player of all on board one: the Georgian player Baadur Jobava.

Jobava’s fantastic 6.0/7 score has been good for an amazing 2976 performance until now, and even in round eight, facing the powerful Ukrainian team, he managed to defeat Ruslan Ponomariov in just 21 moves. (photo by Paul Truong)

Baadur Jobava - Ruslan Ponomariov

Unfortunately for him, his team still lost 3-1. For the Ukrainians, this means they are the third team to share first with the US and India.

The young overperforming Iranians mentioned in the previous report continued their good run by tying Italy 2-2 (photo by M. Emelianova)

It should be pointed out that they came very close to winning as their talented second board Parham Maghsoodloo, untitled and rated 2566, had a significant advantage in his game, but was unable to convert it. This success sets them up for a very intriguing match against England, who outrate them by some 200 Elo on average.

Yusup Ayabayev - Stef Soors

Black just played Nb8 to cover the check, but this is not the end to the back rank threats. White to play and win.

Whatever hopes the Chinese had still harbored for a miracle comeback were dashed as they went down to the Hungarian team 1.5-2.5. This also means Hungary is in 10th place, and can still dream of a medal, if the stars align just right. (photo by M. Emelianova)

Magnus Carlsen started slow, but has gradually helped Norway time climb to the top. (photo by David Llada)

One unexpected twist has been Norway’s stead rise. Their start had really been nothing to write home about it is true, and Magnus Carlsen had seemed uninspired. He wasn’t losing, it is true, but nor was he winning as one might hope. With four wins and one draw in the last five matches, they have climbed the ladder, and are now parked in the group just behind the leaders. This has set up a match many had begun to think would not happen: in round nine, Norway will face the USA.

Team Canada has been sticking to the script, losing to the higher rated teams, and beating the weaker ones. This isn’t to say their results have been uninteresting. Board two, Anton Kovalyov (2617), has had a superb run so far, scoring 5.5/7 and a 2822 performance. (photo by M. Emelianova)

His teammate Eric Hansen (2582) has also played well for his team, with 6.0/8 and a 2646 performance. He has also been posting a vlog (video log) on his YouTube channel with comments and feedback from Baku.

Perparim Makolli - Mohammed Al-Sayed

With all his pieces pointed in the right direction, and the White king in the center, there must be something right? Black to play and win.

Round 9 report by Daniel king direct from Baku

In the Women’s section, the big match was also Russia against the US, but here things were far more dramatic with swings to leave anyone watching with unsightly hand after all the nailbiting.

This is the board where it was all decided (photo by Paul Truong)

Board four was the quickest to end as American player Katerina Nemcova defeated Olga Girya very quickly, while Natalija Pogonina and Anna Zatonskih seemed to make little progress and drew. Girya’s loss seemed to be easily balanced by a crushing win by Valentina Gunina, Russia’s ‘secret weapon’, against Nazi Paikidze. This left the longest and least clear game: Alexandra Kosteniuk against Irina Krush on board one, analyzed here by GM Elshan Moradiabadi.

Alexandra Kosteniuk - Irina Krush (annotated by GM Elshan Moradiabadi)

A fantastic win with blood and guts throughout, pushing the American women to the top of the leaderboard.

However, this was not the end of it, as top-seed China trampled Azerbaijan by 3.5-0.5 and join the US in first. This sets up an epic match for Sunday, not to be missed: China versus USA!

Hou Yifan - Zeinab Mamedjarova

The Women World Champion finds a little tactic that wins a pawn. White to play and win.

Solutions to the puzzles

About GM Elshan Moradiabadi Elshan Moradiabadi is a GM born and raised in Tehran, Iran. He moved to the US in 2012. Ever since, he has been active in US college chess scenes and in US chess. Elshan co-authored "Chess and the Art of War: Ancient Wisdom to Make You a Better Player" with Al Lawrence. He has also published written articles for ChessBase, and edited opening materials for fellow authors. Elshan Moradiabadi is a veteran instructor and teaches chess to every level, with students ranging from beginners to IM. He can be contacted for projects or teaching at his email. You can contact him at his email or follow him on Twitter.

Round eight games (with times per move)