When one looks at the Russian Olympiad team, the possibilities are absolutely frightening. Perhaps any four of the six players could win the gold medal in Bled and today's match showed just how strong the Russian side is. With both Kasparov and Khalifman resting for the latter rounds, Alexander Grischuk lead the charge leaving ashes behind the torrent of flames cast on the Bosnian chess armies.  On 1st board, Atalik's weakened kingside and Grischuk's passed e-pawn proved to be the deciding factors. Morozevich seems to have gained motivation from his first round "setback" and is playing some exciting chess. His powerful performance against the Kurajica's Center Counter defense silenced all skeptics who thought young Morozevich was getting "soft." The match ended in a 3½-½ crush reaffirming Russian supremacy… at least for another round.

Hungary experienced a setback when they dropped a 2½-1½ decision to the Czech Republic. The match of the round was projected to be England-Ukraine; however, all of the games ended draws (albeit exciting draws) including the Ponomariov-Adams matchup. China was looking to make progress in the standing against Georgia but the "Great Wall" was breached and the Chinese suffered a bitter loss when  Zhang Pengxiang blundered horribly. The USA team has rebounded nicely smashing Denmark and vaulting back into medal contention. Of course, the USA is three points behind Russia, who will continue to pile up points.

Zimbabwe's ray of sunshine has come from IM Robert Gwaze's performance.  In the match against Malaysia, Gwaze played actively to achieve favorable imbalances. Such play is courageous because of the risky nature of the strategy. However, FM Woon Zi Jing felt the wrath of Gwaze's laser bishop on b7 and was then run over by an avalanche of black pawns (see diagram). Perhaps officials at Bled are now scurrying for the record books for the consecutive wins at the Chess Olympiad. Despite his 6th consecutive win, Zimbabwe dropped the match 3-1.

Another match attracting interest was the Zambia-Uganda match, but this match was over quickly. Nsubuga-Simutowe started as a typical 6.Be2 Najdorf Sicilian, but the Ugandan entered unfavorable complications with 20.Nb5?! and ended up losing very quickly. On board #2, NM Stanley Chumfwa played the beautiful 57.Bg8+!! (see diagram) against Shadrack Kantinti to complete the 4-0 drubbing. The Ugandans got a dose of their own medicine after having just torched the Kenyans 4-0 in the 5th round.

While Caribbean neighbors Barbados and Trinidad were crushed 3½-½ by IPC and Iraq respectively, Jamaica took out their frustrations on an unsuspecting Hong Kong team and a 4-0 rout was in the making.  Cuba stayed  in the top tier of nations behind the strength of Lázaro Bruzón's mating attack of his Argentinean opponent.  In Bermuda-Netherland Antilles, two Caribbean two territories clashed and the battle ended a 2-2 deadlock. Stay tuned for more African and Caribbean battles!

In Wong-Gwaze, Black finishes with the annihilating 42...f4! White will be steamrolled.

In Chumfwa-Kantinti, Chumfwa plays the stunning 57.Bg8+!! to finish off Kantinti.