When a Draw is a Win!

Needing a big result to catch Russia, the Hungarians scored a convincing 3-1 victory over China, but this was only enough to clinch the silver. After the first draw in Hungary-China, Russia, clinched the gold by accepting quick draws on all boards (in less than 15 moves) against Yugoslavia. Armenia crushed Georgia 3-1 in a head-to-head contest for the bronze. GM Smbat Lputian scored a nice victory with the devastating 37… Re4! Russia remain the "King of Kings!"

Hungary played very impressively throughout and lost only one game in the 56 played! It turns out that they compiled the best win-loss record with a sparkling 11 wins (including a win over Russia), 2 draws and only 1 loss (Czech Republic). However, they won sizable amount of matches by a 2½-1½ score while Russia piled up points.

While GM Judit Polgar did not have the sizzling tournament that she enjoyed in Olympiad 2000, she was the key to Hungary's success. As the veteran on the team (at age 26), she provided fighting spirit and a strong alternative to GM Peter Leko at board one.  It seems like yesterday when 12-year old Judit was "kerr-rushing" GMs with impunity… the only difference between then and now seems to be 14 years! Hungary will enjoy success for years to come as young talent continues to emerge… the latest being World Junior Champion GM Peter Acs.

In Sturua-Lputian, Black played 37.Re4! 38.Bxe4 Rxe4 39.g4 Bxg4 40.Qb8+ Kh7 41.Rd4 Rxd4 42.exd4 Be2! 0-1

Zimbabwe becomes the land of Gold!

Known for the beauty of  the massive Victoria Falls, wildlife and  many national treasures, Zimbabwe is also known for its abundance of natural resources. Today, IM Robert Gwaze (pictured right) will add to the net amount of gold Zimbabwe possesses with his 9-0 performance at the Bled Olympiad, 2002.

IM Gwaze played inspired chess, and in the first seven rounds, he compiled a blistering 7-0 score! He coasted in the latter half picking up two more wins and thus, he continues the African tradition of winning an individual board medal at the Olympiad. Gwaze joins both IM Amon Simutowe of Zambia and Dawit Wondimu of Ethiopia as the most recent winners. Photo was taken by Jerry Bibuld.

A Parting Shot!

FM Delisle Warner of Barbados certainly made a contribution with a last-round masterpiece against  his opponent from Brunei. In a complicated battle, Warner sacrificed his queen for a promising attack; he then sacrificed an exchange to remove a crucial defender. With the White King on the run and Black pieces in hot pursuit, the King finally ran into a dead end and was cornered (see diagram). Nice effort by FM Warner… and a nice way to return home to sunny Barbados!

Many African and Caribbean teams finished this Olympiad in high spirits and improved markedly over their 2000 performance. There was also an abundance of contributions made in terms of chess masterpieces amongst these teams. Quality of play has  improved and as chess databases and Internet Chess Clubs flourish, these nations will continue to make impressions. While the balance of power still tilts to Russia (and Europe in general), there will be very strong players emerging from the most unsuspecting places.

Warner executes beautiful play with 38...Ne2! After 39.Qxe2? (39.Kh4 =/+) 39…Rxh3+ 40.Nh4 Be8! threatening 41...Kg7 checkmate!! The game ended 41.Kxh6 Rxh4+ 42. Kg5 Rg4+ 43. Kh6 Kg8!! White faces mate or loss of the Queen.

Other scores of note: Singapore 2½-1½ Algeria;  Netherland Antilles;  Angola 4-0 IPCA;  Barbados 3-1 Brunei;  Botswana 3-1 Somalia;  Egypt 3-1 Bolivia;  Ethiopia 3½-½ Uganda;  Krygyzstan 4-0 Jamaica;  Kenya 2-2 Palestine;  Libya 2-2 Zimbabwe;  Namibia 2-2 Nicaragua;  Netherlands Antilles 4-0 Rwanda;  Iraq 4-0 Nigeria;  New Zealand 3-1 South Africa;  Trinidad 3-1 Honduras;  Liechtenstein 3-1  Tunisia;  3½-½ ;  Macau 2½-1½ U.S. Virgin Islands;  Mexico 3½-½ Zambia.

Many thanks goes to Allan Herbert (Barbados), Ian Wilkinson (Jamaica), Daniel Nsibambi (Uganda), and Jerry Bibuld for providing The Chess Drum with reports and timely photographs. Pictured here are Mr. Herbert (foreground) and Mr. Wilkinson (with the big smile). Great job!