37th Chess Olympiad
Encyclopedia
Chess Olympiad
The Chess Olympiad is a biennial chess tournament in which teams from all over the world compete against each other. The event is organised by FIDE, which selects the host nation.-Birth of the Olympiad:The first Olympiad was unofficial...
, comprising an open and women's tournament and the general assembly of the Fédération Internationale des Échecs
Fédération Internationale des Échecs
The Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national chess federations around the world and acts as the governing body of international chess competition. It is usually referred to as FIDE , its French acronym.FIDE...
(FIDE), took place between 20 May and 6 June 2006, in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, Italy.
Open tournament
The open division was contested by 148 teams representing 143 nations and territories; Italy, as hosts, fielded three teams, whilst the International Blind Chess Association, the International Physically Disabled Chess Association, International Silent Chess Committee each provided one squad; neither SomaliaSomalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
nor Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
, each of which had registered a team, participated.
Led by first board Grandmaster
International Grandmaster
The title Grandmaster is awarded to strong chess players by the world chess organization FIDE. Apart from World Champion, Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can attain....
(GM) Levon Aronian
Levon Aronian
Levon Grigor Aronian is an Armenian chess Grandmaster and the reigning World Blitz Chess Champion. On the September 2011 FIDE list, he has an Elo rating of 2807, making him number three in the world and Armenia's number one...
, the second highest-rated player at the Olympiad, and first reserve GM Gabriel Sargissian, who scored 10 points in 11 games, Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
improved on their third place performance at the 36th Olympiad
36th Chess Olympiad
The 36th Chess Olympiad, organized by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs and comprising an open and women's tournament, as well as several events designed to promote the game of chess, took place between October 14 and October 31, 2004, in Calvià on the Spanish island of Majorca.-Chess...
, claiming the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
by two full points over the silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
-winning People's Republic of China, whose fourth board, GM Wang Yue
Wang Yue
Wang Yue is a Chinese chess Grandmaster. He is China's highest-ever rated player with a peak Elo rating of 2751. In 2004, he became China's 18th Grandmaster at the age of 17....
, went undefeated, winning eight games and drawing four; Armenia ended the tournament without having lost a match, winning 10 and drawing three, including in the final round against Hungary, when four draw
Draw (chess)
In chess, a draw is when a game ends in a tie. It is one of the possible outcomes of a game, along with a win for White and a win for Black . Usually, in tournaments a draw is worth a half point to each player, while a win is worth one point to the victor and none to the loser.For the most part,...
s were cursorily recorded. Aronian was the only Armenian player to lose a game during the tournament, falling in the fifth round to Russian GM Vladimir Kramnik
Vladimir Kramnik
Vladimir Borisovich Kramnik is a Russian chess grandmaster. He was the Classical World Chess Champion from 2000 to 2006, and the undisputed World Chess Champion from 2006 to 2007...
. Kramnik, playing internationally for the first time in six months, scored six-and-one-half points in his nine games, recording the best rating performance of any player. His Russian team, though, did not perform as expected; fielding six of the tournament's top 17 players by ranking http://schach.wienerzeitung.at/tnr3410.aspx?tnr=3410&art=16&lan=1&flag=30, Russia stood in second place, just one point behind Armenia, through the seventh round but lost matches to France (2½-1½), the United States (2½-1½), and, in the final round, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
(3-1), and ultimately finished sixth; the finish was the first non-podium finish
Podium
A podium is a platform that is used to raise something to a short distance above its surroundings. It derives from the Greek πόδι In architecture a building can rest on a large podium. Podia can also be used to raise people, for instance the conductor of an orchestra stands on a podium as do many...
for the side representing the Soviet Union or Russia since the 9th Chess Olympiad
9th Chess Olympiad
The 9th Chess Olympiad, organized by the FIDE and comprising an open and women's tournament, as well as several events designed to promote the game of chess, took place between August 20 and September 11, 1950, in Dubrovnik, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia .The final results were as follows:-Final :The...
, played in 1950. Although they defeated the United States, 2½-1½, in the penultimate round, Israel settled for a tie for third place; the Americans claimed the bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
on Buchholz tiebreak
Tiebreaker
In games and sports, a tiebreaker or tiebreak is used to determine a winner from among players or teams that are tied at the end of a contest, or a set of contests.-In matches:In some situations, the tiebreaker may consist of another round of play...
s. Hungary, seeded 16th, finished fifth, getting strong performances from third board GM Ferenc Berkes and fourth board GM Csaba Balogh, while India, who entered the tournament seeded second, finished in 30th place, with first board GM Viswanathan Anand
Viswanathan Anand
V. Anand or Anand Viswanathan, usually referred as Viswanathan Anand, is an Indian chess Grandmaster, the current World Chess Champion, and currently second highest rated player in the world....
's and fourth board GM Shekhar Ganguly Surya's scoring just 50 per cent.
Team results
The teams finishing first through third overall receive medals, as do those finishing in the top three amongst teams organized by seed; overall medal winners are not eligible to receive group prizes.Top ten overall finishers
| Place of finish | Team | Players | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Matches won | Matches drawn | Matches lost | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Gold medal A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture... |
 Armenia |
Levon Aronian Levon Aronian Levon Grigor Aronian is an Armenian chess Grandmaster and the reigning World Blitz Chess Champion. On the September 2011 FIDE list, he has an Elo rating of 2807, making him number three in the world and Armenia's number one... , Vladimir Akopian, Karen Asrian Karen Asrian Karen Asrian was an Armenian chess Grandmaster.As of the October 2006 FIDE rating list, his Elo rating was 2634, tied for the fourth highest rank in Armenia.... , Smbat Lputian Smbat Lputian Smbat Gariginovich Lputian is an Armenian chess Grandmaster. He was first at tournament in Berlin 1982, shared first at Athens 1983 and at Irkutsk 1983, first at Sarajevo 1985 and at Irkutsk 1986, shared first at Hastings 1986-87 and first at Dortmund 1988... , Gabriel Sargissian, Artashes Minasian Artashes Minasian Artashes Minasian is an Armenian chess Grandmaster.-Chess career:He participated in eight Chess Olympiads with a record of +23,=28,-12. In 2006 the Armenian team took the first place at the 37th Chess Olympiad... |
3 | 2682 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 36 |
| Second Silver medal A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats.... |
 People's Republic of China |
Bu Xiangzhi Bu Xiangzhi Bu Xiangzhi is a Chinese chess grandmaster. In 1999, he became China's 10th Grandmaster at the age of 13 years, 10 months, 13 days, at the time the youngest in history. In April 2008, Bu and Ni Hua became the second and third Chinese players to pass the 2700 Elo rating line, after Wang Yue... , Zhang Zhong Zhang Zhong Zhang Zhong is a Chinese chess grandmaster who now plays for Singapore.In 1998, he became China's 9th Grandmaster.-Career:Among Zhang's more notable results are silver medals at the 1996 and 1998 World Junior Chess Championships, first in the 2001 Chinese Championship, 8.5/12 at the 2002 Chess... , Zhang Pengxiang Zhang Pengxiang Zhang Pengxiang is a Chinese chess Grandmaster, and was the 2007 Asian Chess Champion. In 2001, he became China's 12th Grandmaster. He has stated his desire to teach and give training to youngsters in China via an . He lives in Beijing.-Career:... , Wang Yue Wang Yue Wang Yue is a Chinese chess Grandmaster. He is China's highest-ever rated player with a peak Elo rating of 2751. In 2004, he became China's 18th Grandmaster at the age of 17.... , Ni Hua Ni Hua Ni Hua is one of China's top chess grandmasters and is the national team captain. In 2003, he became China's 15th Grandmaster at the age of 19. On April 2008, Ni Hua and Bu Xiangzhi both became the second and third Chinese players to pass the 2700 Elo rating line, after Wang Yue... , Zhao Jun Zhao Jun Zhao Jun is a Chinese chess Grandmaster. In 2004, he became China's 19th Grandmaster at the age of 17.Zhao Jun plays for Shandong chess club in the China Chess League . He is ranked 11th in China .... |
12 | 2628 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 34 |
| Third Bronze medal A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St... |
 United States |
Gata Kamsky Gata Kamsky Gata Kamsky is a Soviet-born American chess grandmaster, and the current World Rapid Chess Champion. He is also the current United States Chess Champion. As of September 2011, he is rated No. 1 in the United States and No... , Alexander Onischuk Alexander Onischuk Alexander Onischuk is an American chess grandmaster. Originally from Ukraine, he immigrated to the US in 2001 and currently lives in Northern Virginia. He was the 2006 U.S. Chess Champion... , Hikaru Nakamura Hikaru Nakamura Hikaru Nakamura is an American chess Grandmaster . He has been ranked among the top six players in the world by FIDE.... , Ildar Ibragimov Ildar Ibragimov Ildar Ibragimov is a chess Grandmaster. Born in Kazan, Russia, he was equal first alongside Kramnik and Kharlov at the 1991 USSR Under 26 Championship. He received the Grandmaster title in 1993. He now competes for the United States, where he has lived since 2002. He was a co-winner of the 2004... , Gregory Kaidanov Gregory Kaidanov Gregory Kaidanov is a Grandmaster of chess.As of April 2007, his Elo rating was 2587, making him the #9 player in the US and the 179th-highest rated player in the world. His peak rating was 2646 in 2002.... , Varuzhan Akobian Varuzhan Akobian Varuzhan Akobian is an Armenian-American Grandmaster of chess, originally from Armenia, who now resides in Los Angeles.He became an International Master at age 16... |
7 | 2656 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 33 |
| Fourth |  Israel |
Boris Gelfand Boris Gelfand Boris Abramovich Gelfand is a Belarus-born Israeli chess Grandmaster. He won the 2011 Candidates Tournament and will challenge Viswanathan Anand for the World Chess Championship 2012.-Biography:... , Ilia Smirin, Emil Sutovsky Emil Sutovsky Emil Sutovsky is an Israeli chess Grandmaster. He is one of the several top chess grandmasters who were born in Baku, Azerbaijan .-Successes:... , Boris Avrukh Boris Avrukh Boris Leonidovich Avrukh is an Israeli chess grandmaster. He was the World Under-12 champion in 1990.He has played for Israel six times in Chess Olympiads.* In 1998, at second reserve board at the 33rd Chess Olympiad in Elista ;... , Alexander Huzman Alexander Huzman Alexander Huzman is an Israeli Chess Grandmaster and trainer., his Elo rating was 2596, making him the # 9 player in Israel and the 188th-highest rated player in the world... , Victor Mikhalevski Victor Mikhalevski Victor Mikhalevski is an Israeli chess grandmaster who lives in Beer Sheva. his Elo rating was 2611, making him the #7 player in Israel and the 171st-highest rated player in the world... |
6 | 2663 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 33 |
| Fifth |  Hungary |
Zoltán Almási Zoltan Almasi Zoltán Almási is a Grandmaster of chess from Hungary. He is a seven-time Hungarian Chess Champion, winning in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2008... , Zoltan Gyimesi Zoltan Gyimesi Zoltán Gyimesi is a Hungarian chess player. He has participated in 4 Chess Olympiads 1998, 2002-2006 with a record of +11=18-4. In 2002 at the 35th Chess Olympiad, the Hungarian team won the silver medal with Gyimesi on the fourth board... , Ferenc Berkes Ferenc Berkes Ferenc Berkes is a Grandmaster of chess from Hungary. He is a three-time Hungarian Chess Champion, winning in 2004, 2007 and 2010. In 2002, he was World Under 18 Champion. He took part in the Chess World Cup 2011, but was eliminated in the second round by Zahar Efimenko.-External links:*... , Csaba Balogh Csaba Balogh Csaba Balogh is a Hungarian chess player. Balogh earned his International Master title in 2002 and in 2004 he was recognized as a Grandmaster. He won the U-16 section of the 2003 European Youth Chess Championship. Balogh was also a member of the national team that won both the U-16 World Team... , Robert Ruck, Adam Horvath |
16 | 2610 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 32½ |
| Sixth |  Russia |
Vladimir Kramnik Vladimir Kramnik Vladimir Borisovich Kramnik is a Russian chess grandmaster. He was the Classical World Chess Champion from 2000 to 2006, and the undisputed World Chess Champion from 2006 to 2007... , Peter Svidler Peter Svidler Peter Veniaminovich Svidler is a Russian chess grandmaster.He is six-time Russian champion .... , Alexander Grischuk Alexander Grischuk Alexander Igorevich Grischuk is a Russian chess grandmaster and Russian Champion in 2009.-Chess career:In the FIDE World Chess Championship 2000, Grischuk he made it to the semifinals, losing to Alexei Shirov.... , Alexander Morozevich Alexander Morozevich Alexander Morozevich is a Russian chess Grandmaster. In the November 2011 FIDE list, he had an Elo rating of 2762, making him the 9th-highest rated player in the world, although he has previously ranked as high as second, in the July 2008 list.... , Evgeny Bareev Evgeny Bareev Evgeny Bareev is a Russian chess Grandmaster and chess coach. In October 2003, he was in fourth place in the world rankings, with an Elo rating of 2739.... , Sergei Rublevsky Sergei Rublevsky Sergei Rublevsky is a Russian chess grandmaster . He won the prestigious Aeroflot Open in 2004, and became the 58th Russian chess champion after winning the Russian Superfinal in Moscow , one point clear from Dmitry Jakovenko and Alexander Morozevich.He finished in the top 10 in the 2005 FIDE... |
1 | 2730 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 32 |
| Seventh |  Early Modern France |
Étienne Bacrot Étienne Bacrot Étienne Bacrot is a French chess grandmaster and currently ranked number one in France.He started playing at 4; by 10 young Bacrot was already winning junior competitions and in 1996, at 13 years of age, he won against Vasily Smyslov... , Joël Lautier Joel Lautier Joël Lautier is a French chess grandmaster and FIDE Senior Trainer .Born in Canada, of French father and Japanese mother, Lautier is one of the strongest grandmasters from France. He won the 1988 World Junior Chess Championship on tiebreak at Adelaide, and the French Chess Championships in 2004... , Andrei Sokolov Andrei Sokolov Andrei Yurievich Sokolov is a French chess Grandmaster of Russian origin, now living in France... , Laurent Fressinet Laurent Fressinet Laurent Fressinet is a French chess Grandmaster. He is married to Almira Skripchenko.In October 2011 he tied for 3rd-15th in the open section of the 15th Corsican Circuit.-External links:*... , Maxime Vachier-Lagrave Maxime Vachier-Lagrave Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is a French chess Grandmaster and the 2009 World Junior Chess Champion.-Grandmaster norms:He completed his final grandmaster norm at age 14 years, 4 months, in 2005.... , Christian Bauer Christian Bauer Christian Bauer is a French chess player and author. In 1996 he won the French Chess Championship. In 2009 he came first at Vicente Bonil ahead of 21 GMs and 33 titled players.-External links:... |
5 | 2665 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 32 |
| Eighth |  Ukraine |
Vasyl Ivanchuk Vasyl Ivanchuk Vasyl Mykhaylovych Ivanchuk, also transliterated as Vasyliy or Vasyl , is a Ukrainian chess grandmaster.... , Andrei Volokitin Andrei Volokitin Andriy Volokitin is a Ukrainian chess player and International Grandmaster of Chess.As a junior, he was twice a medallist at the World Youth Chess Championship, taking silver in 1998 at Oropesa del Mar at under-12 level, and bronze at the same venue a year later in the under-14 category... , Sergey Karjakin Sergey Karjakin Sergey Alexandrovich Karjakin is a Russian chess grandmaster. He was a chess prodigy and holds the record for both the youngest International Master, eleven years and eleven months, and grandmaster in history, at the age of twelve years and seven months... , Pavel Eljanov Pavel Eljanov Pavel Eljanov is a Ukrainian chess grandmaster.In 1999, he was a member of the Ukrainian national youth team, which won the U-16 Chess Olympiad in Artek, Ukraine.Eljanov won the Corus B 2007 in Wijk aan Zee, Holland with a score of 9/13... , Alexander Moiseenko Alexander Moiseenko Alexander Moiseenko is a Ukrainian chess Grandmaster. He was a member of the gold-medal winning Ukrainian team at the chess Olympiad in 2004.... , Zahar Efimenko Zahar Efimenko Zahar Efimenko is a Ukrainian chess player. He has been a grandmaster since 2002.-Chess career:In 1999 Efimenko won the U-14 World Youth Chess Championship in Oropesa del Mar, Spain. In the same year he was a member of the Ukrainian national youth team, which won the U-16 Chess Olympiad in Artek,... |
4 | 2680 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 32 |
| Ninth |  Kingdom of Bulgaria |
Kiril Georgiev Kiril Georgiev Kiril Dimitrov Georgiev is a Bulgarian chess master and three times the national champion. He should not be confused with fellow Bulgarian chess player Krum Georgiev.... , Ivan Cheparinov Ivan Cheparinov Ivan Cheparinov is a Bulgarian chess player, who won the Bulgarian Chess Championship in 2005.-Topalov's second:Until 2007, he was best known as the second of former FIDE World Champion Veselin Topalov... , Aleksander Delchev Aleksander Delchev Aleksander Delchev is a Bulgarian chess grandmaster. He won the Bulgarian Chess Championship in 1994, 1996 and 2001. He participated in five Chess Olympiads with a performance of 60.4% .... , Vasili Spasov, IM Vladimir Petkov, IM Valentin Iotov |
10 | 2633 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 32 |
| Tenth |  Spain |
Alexei Shirov Alexei Shirov Alexei Dmitrievich Shirov is a Soviet-born Latvian chess grandmaster. He has consistently ranked among the world's top players since the early 1990s, and reached a ranking as high as number four in 1998... , Francisco Vallejo Pons Francisco Vallejo Pons Francisco Vallejo Pons is a chess Grandmaster from Spain. He was a chess prodigy, achieving the grandmaster title at the age of 16 years and 9 months, which makes him the 20th youngest player to ever become a grandmaster... , Miguel Illescas Córdoba, Julien Arizmendi Martinez, Pablo San Segundo Carrillo, Marc Narciso Dublan |
11 | 2628 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 32 |
Group prizes
Group A (from amongst teams seeded 1st to 29th without best three teams)
| Team | Overall place of finish | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Israel |
4 | 6 | 2663 | 33 |
| Hungary |
5 | 16 | 2610 | 32½ |
| Russia |
6 | 1 | 2730 | 32 |
Group B (from amongst teams seeded 30th to 59th)
| Team | Overall place of finish | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sweden |
17 | 31 | 2549 | 30½ |
 Slovenia |
23 | 32 | 2545 | 30 |
 Latvia |
28 | 42 | 2516 | 30 |
Group C (from amongst teams seeded 60th to 89th)
| Team | Overall place of finish | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 70 | 2371 | 28½ | |
 Kazakhstan |
53 | 73 | 2348 | 28 |
 Colombia |
57 | 62 | 2437 | 27 |
Group D (from amongst teams seeded 90th to 119th)
| Team | Overall place of finish | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tajikistan |
54 | 106 | 2215 | 28 |
 Algeria |
69 | 91 | 2285 | 26½ |
 International Silent Chess Committee |
76 | 90 | 2308 | 26 |
Group E (from amongst teams seeded 120th to 148th)
| Team | Overall place of finish | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Japan |
87 | 121 | 2139 | 25½ |
 Pakistan |
98 | 123 | 2123 | 24½ |
 Cyprus |
103 | 122 | 2125 | 24 |
Individual results
Individual medals are awarded to the three players to achieve the best rating performance having played at least eight games. Medals are also awarded to the top three finishers, by percentage of points won from total points possible, from amongst those to have played primarily on each of boards one through four (having played at least eight games) as well as to those reserves who have otherwise played at least seven games across all boards, who are classified as playing on boards five and six. Teams typically feature their better players on the lower-numbered boards, but illness, fatigue, and absence often affect playing rotations. TieTie (draw)
To tie or draw is to finish a competition with identical or inconclusive results. The word "tie" is usually used in North America for sports such as American football. "Draw" is usually used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations and it is usually used for sports such as...
s are resolved in favor of the player who played more games; where ties remain, the player with a better rating performance is awarded the superior placing.
Best rating performance
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Principal board played | Games played | Points scored | Rating performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vladimir Kramnik Vladimir Kramnik Vladimir Borisovich Kramnik is a Russian chess grandmaster. He was the Classical World Chess Champion from 2000 to 2006, and the undisputed World Chess Champion from 2006 to 2007... |
Russia |
2729 | 1 | 9 | 6½ | 2847 |
| Wang Yue Wang Yue Wang Yue is a Chinese chess Grandmaster. He is China's highest-ever rated player with a peak Elo rating of 2751. In 2004, he became China's 18th Grandmaster at the age of 17.... |
People's Republic of China |
2598 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 2837 |
| Étienne Bacrot Étienne Bacrot Étienne Bacrot is a French chess grandmaster and currently ranked number one in France.He started playing at 4; by 10 young Bacrot was already winning junior competitions and in 1996, at 13 years of age, he won against Vasily Smyslov... |
Early Modern France |
2708 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2833 |
| Magnus Carlsen Magnus Carlsen Sven Magnus Øen Carlsen is a Norwegian chess Grandmaster and chess prodigy who is currently the number-one ranked player in the world. In January 2010 he became the seventh player ranked number one in the world on the official FIDE rating list... |
 Norway |
2646 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2820 |
| Sergey Karjakin Sergey Karjakin Sergey Alexandrovich Karjakin is a Russian chess grandmaster. He was a chess prodigy and holds the record for both the youngest International Master, eleven years and eleven months, and grandmaster in history, at the age of twelve years and seven months... |
Ukraine |
2661 | 3 | 11 | 8½ | 2798 |
| Bu Xiangzhi Bu Xiangzhi Bu Xiangzhi is a Chinese chess grandmaster. In 1999, he became China's 10th Grandmaster at the age of 13 years, 10 months, 13 days, at the time the youngest in history. In April 2008, Bu and Ni Hua became the second and third Chinese players to pass the 2700 Elo rating line, after Wang Yue... |
People's Republic of China |
2640 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 2790 |
| David Navara David Navara David Navara is a chess Grandmaster from Czech Republic. On the April 2007 FIDE rating list he was ranked number 14 in the world with an Elo rating of 2720, making him the highest ranked Czech player.... |
 Czech Republic |
2658 | 1 | 12 | 8½ | 2786 |
| Vladimir Akopian | Armenia |
2706 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 2778 |
| Levon Aronian Levon Aronian Levon Grigor Aronian is an Armenian chess Grandmaster and the reigning World Blitz Chess Champion. On the September 2011 FIDE list, he has an Elo rating of 2807, making him number three in the world and Armenia's number one... |
Armenia |
2756 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 2768 |
| Joël Lautier Joel Lautier Joël Lautier is a French chess grandmaster and FIDE Senior Trainer .Born in Canada, of French father and Japanese mother, Lautier is one of the strongest grandmasters from France. He won the 1988 World Junior Chess Championship on tiebreak at Adelaide, and the French Chess Championships in 2004... |
Early Modern France |
2682 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 2759 |
Board prizes
First board
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Games played | Points scored | Percentage attained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohyuddin Gillani Tanveer | Pakistan |
2279 | 8 | 7 | 87½ |
| GM Evgenij Ermenkov Evgenij Ermenkov Evgenij Petkov Ermenkov is a chess Grandmaster . Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, he now plays for Palestine.Ermenkov won the Bulgarian Championship in 1973, 1975 , 1976, 1979 and 1984 .... |
 Palestinian territories |
2462 | 10 | 8½ | 85.0 |
| GM Hichem Hamdouchi Hichem Hamdouchi Hichem Hamdouchi is currently the strongest Moroccan chess player and one of the leading African grandmasters.... |
 Morocco |
2559 | 10 | 7½ | 75.0 |
Second board
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Games played | Points scored | Percentage attained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM Josep Oms Pallise |  Andorra |
2496 | 11 | 9 | 81.8 |
| Brian Dew |  Hong Kong |
2147 | 9 | 7 | 77.8 |
| IM Eduardo Iturrizaga Eduardo Iturrizaga Eduardo Patricio Iturrizaga Bonelli is a Venezuelan chess player. He achieved the title of grandmaster in 2008, making him the first and only Venezuelan chess grandmaster.-Chess career:... |
 Venezuela |
2397 | 11 | 8½ | 77.3 |
Third board
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Games played | Points scored | Percentage attained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manuel Larrea |  Uruguay |
2278 | 8 | 7 | 87.5 |
| GM Rafael Leitão Rafael Leitão Rafael Duailibe Leitão is a Brazilian chess grandmaster. He won the World Youth Chess Championship in the U12 category in 1991 and in the U18 category in 1996... |
 Brazil |
2575 | 10 | 8 | 80.0 |
| GM Miguel Illescas Córdoba | Spain |
2608 | 9 | 7 | 77.8 |
Fourth board
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Games played | Points scored | Percentage attained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GM Wang Yue Wang Yue Wang Yue is a Chinese chess Grandmaster. He is China's highest-ever rated player with a peak Elo rating of 2751. In 2004, he became China's 18th Grandmaster at the age of 17.... |
People's Republic of China |
2598 | 12 | 10 | 83.3 |
| GM Robert Zelcic |  Independent State of Croatia |
2525 | 12 | 9 | 75.0 |
| GM Boris Avrukh Boris Avrukh Boris Leonidovich Avrukh is an Israeli chess grandmaster. He was the World Under-12 champion in 1990.He has played for Israel six times in Chess Olympiads.* In 1998, at second reserve board at the 33rd Chess Olympiad in Elista ;... |
Israel |
2633 | 10 | 7½ | 75.0 |
Fifth (first reserve) board
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Games played | Points scored | Percentage attained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FM Basheer Al-Qudaimi |  Yemen |
2396 | 7 | 7 | 100.0 |
| Amer Karim | Pakistan |
2260 | 8 | 7½ | 93.8 |
| Ali Laith |  Iraq |
2179 | 7 | 6½ | 92.9 |
Sixth (second reserve) board
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Games played | Points scored | Percentage attained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phiri Richmond |  Zambia |
no rating | 7 | 6½ | 92.9 |
| Hirawan Pg Mohd Omar Ak |  Brunei |
2335 | 7 | 6½ | 92.9 |
| Hameedullah Haidary |  Afghanistan |
no rating | 9 | 7½ | 83.3 |
Women's tournament
The women's division was contested by 106 teams representing 102 nations and territories; Italy, as hosts, fielded two teams, whilst the International Blind Chess Association, the International Physically Disabled Chess Association, International Silent Chess Committee each provided one squad; neither SomaliaSomalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
nor Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, each of which had registered a team, participated, whilst Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, and Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
each withdrew after one round.
Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, who had finished in 18th place at the 36th Olympiad
36th Chess Olympiad
The 36th Chess Olympiad, organized by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs and comprising an open and women's tournament, as well as several events designed to promote the game of chess, took place between October 14 and October 31, 2004, in Calvià on the Spanish island of Majorca.-Chess...
but entered the tournament seeded second, trailed top-seeded Russia by one half-point through the seventh round, despite having taken defeated the Russians in the fifth round, 2-1, but took the tournament lead in the eighth round, defeating Hungary while Russia managed only to halve their match with the United States. Ukraine, behind Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Natalia Zhukova
Natalia Zhukova
Natalia Zhukova is a Ukrainian Grandmaster of chess. She won several age-group titles as a teenager, both at the European and World levels. She has also triumphed in several international women's tournaments...
, who scored seven-and-one-half points in her nine games, defeating the top- and second-rated players, Grandmaster (GM) Humpy Koneru of India and GM Alexandra Kosteniuk
Alexandra Kosteniuk
Alexandra Konstantinovna Kosteniuk is a Russian chess Grandmaster and a former Women's World Chess Champion.-Chess career:Kosteniuk learned to play chess at the age of five after being taught by her father...
of Russia, and third board International Master (IM) Inna Yanovska-Gaponenko, who won six games, drew
Draw (chess)
In chess, a draw is when a game ends in a tie. It is one of the possible outcomes of a game, along with a win for White and a win for Black . Usually, in tournaments a draw is worth a half point to each player, while a win is worth one point to the victor and none to the loser.For the most part,...
two, and lost only one, never trailed during the remainder of the tournament, all but securing the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
and Vera Menchik Trophy
Vera Menchik
Vera Menchik was a British-Czech chess player who gained renown as the world's first women's chess champion. She also competed in chess tournaments with some of the world's leading male chess masters, defeating many of them, including future World Champion Max Euwe.The daughter of a Czech father...
with twelfth round win over India (2½-½) and eventually finishing one-and-one-half points ahead of silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
list Russia. Defending champion China, on the strength of first board WGM Zhao Xue
Zhao Xue
Zhao Xue is a Chinese chess player who holds the Woman Grandmaster and Grandmaster titles. In 2008, she became China's 24th Grandmaster.-Career:...
, who entered the tournament seeded 22nd yet, having played in each round, went undefeated in the Olympiad, conceding only six draws in 13 games, claimed the bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
by three points over the United States, with whom the Chinese team drew in the penultimate round to secure third place; the American team, on Buchholz tiebreak
Tiebreaker
In games and sports, a tiebreaker or tiebreak is used to determine a winner from among players or teams that are tied at the end of a contest, or a set of contests.-In matches:In some situations, the tiebreaker may consist of another round of play...
s, narrowly outpointed Hungary and Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
for fourth place. Three double-digit seeds, the Netherlands (seeded 18th, finished seventh), Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
(seeded 17th, finished ninth), and the Czech Republic (seeded 22nd, finished tenth), finished in the top ten, while 12th-seeded Poland managed only a 20th place finish.
Team results
The teams finishing first through third overall receive medals, as do those finishing in the top three amongst teams organized by seed; overall medal winners are not eligible to receive group prizes.Top ten overall finishers
| Place of finish | Team | Players | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Matches won | Matches drawn | Matches lost | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Gold medal A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture... |
Ukraine |
WGM Natalia Zhukova Natalia Zhukova Natalia Zhukova is a Ukrainian Grandmaster of chess. She won several age-group titles as a teenager, both at the European and World levels. She has also triumphed in several international women's tournaments... , IM Kateryna Lahno, IM Inna Yanovska-Gaponenko, WGM Anna Ushenina Anna Ushenina Anna Ushenina is a Ukrainian chess player with the titles of International Master and Woman Grandmaster .-Biography:Born in Kharkiv, she still lives there with her family... |
2 | 2441 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 29½ |
| Second Silver medal A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats.... |
Russia |
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk Alexandra Kosteniuk Alexandra Konstantinovna Kosteniuk is a Russian chess Grandmaster and a former Women's World Chess Champion.-Chess career:Kosteniuk learned to play chess at the age of five after being taught by her father... , IM Tatiana Kosintseva Tatiana Kosintseva Tatiana Anatolyevna Kosintseva is a Russian chess player who has achieved the FIDE title of Grandmaster... , IM Nadezhda Kosintseva Nadezhda Kosintseva Nadezhda Anatolyevna Kosintseva is a Russian chess player. She holds the title of Grandmaster.... , IM Ekaterina Kovalevskaya Ekaterina Kovalevskaya Ekaterina Kovalevskaya is a Russian chess player with the titles International Master and Woman Grandmaster . She won the Russian women's championship in 1994 and 2000. and was runner-up in the Women's World Chess Championship 2004.-External links:... |
1 | 2499 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 28 |
| Third Bronze medal A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St... |
People's Republic of China |
WGM Zhao Xue Zhao Xue Zhao Xue is a Chinese chess player who holds the Woman Grandmaster and Grandmaster titles. In 2008, she became China's 24th Grandmaster.-Career:... , WGM Wang Yu, Shen Yang, WFM Hou Yifan Hou Yifan Hou Yifan is a Chinese chess prodigy. She is the reigning Women's World Chess Champion, the youngest ever to win the title, as well as the youngest female player ever to qualify for the title of Grandmaster.At the age of 12, Hou became the youngest player ever to participate in the FIDE Women's... |
6 | 2408 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 27½ |
| Fourth | United States |
WGM Anna Zatonskih Anna Zatonskih Anna Zatonskih is a chess player from the United States. She is a Woman Grandmaster, as well as an International Master. She is a chess professional, who coaches players and competes in tournaments. Zatonskih is the 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2011 U.S. Women's Chess Champion.Zatonskih learned chess at... , IM Irina Krush Irina Krush Irina Krush is an American chess player who won the U.S. Women's Chess Championship in 1998, 2007, and 2010. Born in Odessa, USSR , she is widely known for her series of chess training videos, the "Krushing Attacks" series.Krush learned to play chess at age five, emigrating with her parents to... , WGM Rusudan Goletiani Rusudan Goletiani Rusudan Goletiani is a Georgian-American chess player. She won the 2005 U.S. Women's Chess Championship and the Woman's Chess Champion for the Americas Continents . She has achieved the FIDE International Woman Grandmaster title... , WGM Camilla Baginskaite Camilla Baginskaite Camilla Baginskaite is an American chess Woman Grandmaster and chess teacher.She learned chess from her father when she was eight years old, visiting a chess school when she was ten. When she was fifteen years old she became the youngest Lithuanian Women's Chess Champion... |
5 | 2414 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 24½ |
| Fifth | Hungary |
IM Hoang Thanh Trang Hoang Thanh Trang Hoang Thanh Trang is a Hungarian chess Grandmaster.Her current FIDE Elo rating is 2487.Hoang was born in Hanoi, Vietnam, and was ten years old when her family moved to Budapest.... , IM Ildikó Mádl Ildiko Madl Ildikó Mádl is a Hungarian chess player.Madl learned to play chess from her father. In 1978 she became a pupil of the chess school Mereszjev that helped to promote talented Hungarian children and teenagers.... , IM Szidonia Vajda Szidonia Vajda Szidonia Vajda is an Romanian-Hungarian chess Woman Grandmaster and International Master. In 1995 she won the European Youth Chess Championship .... , WGM Anita Gara Anita Gara Anita Gara is a Hungarian chess woman grandmaster and three time Hungarian Chess Championship winner.... |
4 | 2426 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 24½ |
| Sixth |  Georgia (country) |
IM Nino Khurtsidze Nino Khurtsidze Nino Khurtsidze is a Woman Grandmaster of chess. She resides in Tbilisi, Georgia. In 2005 she was the number two rated woman chess player in Georgia with a FIDE rating of 2420. She won the World Junior Girls Chess Championship in 1993 and 1995.In 2004 she came second behind Evgeny Shaposhnikov in... , IM Nana Dzagnidze Nana Dzagnidze Nana Dzagnidze is a chess player from Georgia, who achieved the title of International Grandmaster in 2008.-Youth success:As a junior player, she showed early promise by winning the World Girls Under-12 Championship in 1999... , IM Lela Javakhishvili, IM Maia Lomineishvili |
3 | 2430 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 24½ |
| Seventh |  Netherlands |
GM Peng Zhaoqin Peng Zhaoqin Peng Zhaoqin is a female Chinese chess player, who has resided in the Netherlands since 1996... , IM Tea Bosboom-Lanchava Tea Bosboom-Lanchava Tea Bosboom-Lanchava is a chess player who holds the titles of International Master and Woman Grandmaster... , FM Petra Schuurman, WIM Bianca Muhren |
18 | 2344 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 24½ |
| Eighth | Armenia |
IM Lilit Mkrtchian Lilit Mkrtchian Lilit Mkrtchian is an Armenian grandmaster and four-times Armenian Women's champion.Mkrtchian won the silver medal in the European Individual Chess Championship in Varna, Bulgaria, scoring 8.5/11 points. She participated in the European Team Chess Championship 2003 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, helping... , IM Elina Danielian Elina Danielian Elina Danielian is an Armenian chess grandmaster and six times Armenian Women's champion. She played in the gold medal-winning Armenian Women's team in the 5th European Team Chess Championship in Plovdiv 2003... , WGM Nelly Aginian Nelly Aginian Nelly Aginian is an Armenian chess Woman Grandmaster .She played in the gold medal-winning Armenian Women's team in the 5th European Team Chess Championship in Plovdiv 2003. Played in the Women's Chess Olympiads of 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2008.... , WIM Siranush Andriasian Siranush Andriasian Siranush Andriasian is an Armenian chess player. She holds the FIDE Woman International Master title.- Achievements :*1994, 1995: Won Girls Under-10 Armenian Championship;*1995: Third place in European Youth Chess Championship, Under-10;... |
7 | 2402 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 24 |
| Ninth | Slovenia |
WGM Anna Muzychuk Anna Muzychuk Anna Olegivna Muzychuk is a chess player with a FIDE rating of 2528 . She earned the title of Woman Grandmaster in 2004 and the title of International Master in 2007. In 2004 she became a member of the Slovenian chess federation, where she is the strongest female chess player... , WGM Ana Srebrnič Ana Srebrnic Ana Srebrnič is a Slovene chess player, Woman Grandmaster.She was Slovenian woman champion in 2008, second in 2004, third place in 2005... , WIM Jana Krivec Jana Krivec Jana Krivec is a Slovene chess player, Woman Grandmaster.She was Slovenian woman champion in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, and in 2009.... , WFM Ksenija Novak |
17 | 2348 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 24 |
| Tenth | Czech Republic |
IM Jana Jacková Jana Jacková Jana Jacková is a Czech chess player. She played for the Czech team in following Chess Olympiads: Elista 1998, Istanbul 2000, Bled 2002, Calvià 2004, Turin 2006 and Dresden 2008.... , WIM Katerina Cedikova, WIM Olga Sikorova, WIM Petra Blazkova |
22 | 2299 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 24 |
Group prizes
Group A (from amongst teams seeded 1st to 20th)
| Team | Overall place of finish | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States |
4 | 5 | 2414 | 24½ |
| Hungary |
5 | 4 | 2426 | 24½ |
| Georgia (country) |
6 | 3 | 2430 | 24½ |
Group B (from amongst teams seeded 21st to 42nd)
| Team | Overall place of finish | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic |
10 | 22 | 2302 | 24 |
 Vietnam |
15 | 23 | 2302 | 23 |
 Cuba |
16 | 26 | 2289 | 23 |
Group C (from amongst teams seeded 43rd to 64th)
| Team | Overall place of finish | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Philippines |
26 | 60 | 2083 | 22 |
 Turkmenistan |
36 | 43 | 2182 | 21 |
 Canada |
41 | 51 | 2132 | 21 |
Group D (from amongst teams seeded 65th to 86th)
| Team | Overall place of finish | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Indonesia |
40 | 68 | 1986 | 21 |
| Venezuela |
43 | 71 | 1941 | 20½ |
 El Salvador |
49 | 63 | 2007 | 20 |
Group E (from amongst teams seeded 87th to 108th)
| Team | Overall place of finish | Seed | Average April 2006 FIDE rating | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria |
79 | 87 | 1721 | 17½ |
 New Zealand |
80 | 84 | 1759 | 17½ |
 Nigeria |
82 | 82 | 1723 | 17 |
Individual results
Individual medals are awarded to the three players to achieve the best rating performance having played at least eight games. Medals are also awarded to the top three finishers, by percentage of points won from total points possible, from amongst those to have played primarily on each of boards one through three (having played at least eight games) as well as to those reserves who have otherwise played at least seven games across all boards, who are classified as playing on board four. Teams typically feature their better players on the lower-numbered boards, but illness, fatigue, and absence often affect playing rotations. TieTie (draw)
To tie or draw is to finish a competition with identical or inconclusive results. The word "tie" is usually used in North America for sports such as American football. "Draw" is usually used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations and it is usually used for sports such as...
s are resolved in favor of the player who played more games; where ties remain, the player with a better rating performance is awarded the superior placing.
Best rating performance
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Principal board played | Games played | Points scored | Rating performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WGM Zhao Xue Zhao Xue Zhao Xue is a Chinese chess player who holds the Woman Grandmaster and Grandmaster titles. In 2008, she became China's 24th Grandmaster.-Career:... |
People's Republic of China |
2423 | 1 | 13 | 10 | 2617 |
| IM Tatiana Kosintseva Tatiana Kosintseva Tatiana Anatolyevna Kosintseva is a Russian chess player who has achieved the FIDE title of Grandmaster... |
Russia |
2489 | 2 | 12 | 9½ | 2598 |
| WFM Hou Yifan Hou Yifan Hou Yifan is a Chinese chess prodigy. She is the reigning Women's World Chess Champion, the youngest ever to win the title, as well as the youngest female player ever to qualify for the title of Grandmaster.At the age of 12, Hou became the youngest player ever to participate in the FIDE Women's... |
People's Republic of China |
2298 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 2596 |
| GM Antoaneta Stefanova Antoaneta Stefanova Antoaneta Stefanova is a Bulgarian chess grandmaster, and a former Women's World Chess Champion. She became the twelfth holder of that title in 2004 in a 64-player knockout tournament held in Elista, Kalmykia under the auspices of FIDE.... |
Kingdom of Bulgaria |
2502 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 2563 |
| IM Hoang Thanh Trang Hoang Thanh Trang Hoang Thanh Trang is a Hungarian chess Grandmaster.Her current FIDE Elo rating is 2487.Hoang was born in Hanoi, Vietnam, and was ten years old when her family moved to Budapest.... |
Hungary |
2487 | 1 | 13 | 9½ | 2539 |
| WGM Natalia Zhukova Natalia Zhukova Natalia Zhukova is a Ukrainian Grandmaster of chess. She won several age-group titles as a teenager, both at the European and World levels. She has also triumphed in several international women's tournaments... |
Ukraine |
2425 | 1 | 10 | 7½ | 2537 |
| IM Inna Yanovska-Gaponenko | Ukraine |
2430 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 2531 |
| IM Viktorija Čmilytė Viktorija Cmilyte Viktorija Čmilytė is a Lithuanian chess player with the titles of Woman Grandmaster and Grandmaster . She won the gold medal at the Women's European Individual Chess Championship in 2011... |
 Lithuania |
2470 | 1 | 12 | 9½ | 2530 |
| IM Nadezhda Kosintseva Nadezhda Kosintseva Nadezhda Anatolyevna Kosintseva is a Russian chess player. She holds the title of Grandmaster.... |
Russia |
2469 | 3 | 10 | 7½ | 2521 |
| IM Irina Krush Irina Krush Irina Krush is an American chess player who won the U.S. Women's Chess Championship in 1998, 2007, and 2010. Born in Odessa, USSR , she is widely known for her series of chess training videos, the "Krushing Attacks" series.Krush learned to play chess at age five, emigrating with her parents to... |
United States |
2437 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 2512 |
Board prizes
First board
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Games played | Points scored | Percentage attained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIM Lubov Zsiltzova-Lisenko |  International Blind Chess Association |
2263 | 10 | 9 | 90.0 |
| WIM Eman Mohammed | Iraq |
2118 | 8 | 7 | 87.5 |
| WIM Sarai Sanchez | Venezuela |
2176 | 11 | 9 | 81.8 |
Second board
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Games played | Points scored | Percentage attained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiona Steil-Antoni |  Luxembourg |
1968 | 12 | 10 | 83.3 |
| IM Katerina Lahno | Ukraine |
2468 | 10 | 8 | 80.0 |
| IM Tatiana Kosintseva Tatiana Kosintseva Tatiana Anatolyevna Kosintseva is a Russian chess player who has achieved the FIDE title of Grandmaster... |
Russia |
2489 | 12 | 9½ | 79.2 |
Third board
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Games played | Points scored | Percentage attained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WFM Mohd Saleh Nora |  United Arab Emirates |
1925 | 8 | 7 | 87.5 |
| IM Inna Yanovska-Gaponenko | Ukraine |
2430 | 9 | 7 | 77.8 |
| IM Lela Javakhishvili | Georgia (country) |
2410 | 11 | 8½ | 77.3 |
Fourth (reserve) board
| Player | Team represented | April 2006 FIDE rating | Games played | Points scored | Percentage attained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIM Tatiana Berlin |  Belarus |
2207 | 8 | 7 | 87.5 |
| WFM Hou Yifan Hou Yifan Hou Yifan is a Chinese chess prodigy. She is the reigning Women's World Chess Champion, the youngest ever to win the title, as well as the youngest female player ever to qualify for the title of Grandmaster.At the age of 12, Hou became the youngest player ever to participate in the FIDE Women's... |
People's Republic of China |
2298 | 13 | 11 | 84.6 |
| Rahal Mawadda |  Libya |
1601 | 8 | 6½ | 81.3 |
Overall title
The Nona GaprindashviliNona Gaprindashvili
Nona Gaprindashvili is a Georgian chess player, the sixth women's world chess champion , and first female Grandmaster. Born in Zugdidi, Georgia , she was the strongest female player of her generation....
Trophy
Trophy
A trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
is awarded to the entity the average place of finish of which in the open and women's division is the best (where two or more teams are tied, they are ordered by single-best finish in either division and then by total points scored); with an average finish of two-and-one-half, the People's Republic of China won the 2006 trophy.
Top ten finishers
| Team | Open division placing | Women's division placing | Average placing |
|---|---|---|---|
| People's Republic of China |
2 | 3 | 2½ |
| United States |
3 | 4 | 3½ |
| Russia |
6 | 2 | 4 |
| Ukraine |
8 | 1 | 4½ |
| Armenia |
1 | 8 | 4½ |
| Hungary |
5 | 5 | 5 |
| Netherlands |
12 | 7 | 9½ |
| Georgia (country) |
14 | 6 | 10 |
| Czech Republic |
11 | 10 | 10½ |
| Kingdom of Bulgaria |
9 | 13 | 11 |
Participating teams
Squads representing 133 nations, three international organizations, three constituent countries, two autonomous entities, two crown dependenciesCrown dependency
The Crown Dependencies are British possessions of the Crown, as opposed to overseas territories of the United Kingdom. They comprise the Channel Island Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey in the English Channel, and the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea....
, two special administrative region
Special administrative region (People's Republic of China)
A special administrative region is a provincial-level administrative division of the People's Republic of China, for which creation is provided by Article 31 of the 1982 Constitution of the People's Republic of China Article 31 reads "The state may establish special administrative regions when...
s, two insular area
Insular area
An insular area is a United States territory, that is neither a part of one of the fifty U.S. states nor the District of Columbia, the federal district of the United States...
s, and one associated state
Associated state
An associated state is the minor partner in a formal, free relationship between a political territory with a degree of statehood and a nation, for which no other specific term, such as protectorate, is adopted...
were entered into the Olympiad, comprising 1307 players (some registered players, though, did not play).
Entering teams in the open and women's division were
Entering teams only in the open division were
FIDE Congress
Concomitant to the chess competition was the 77th FIDE Congress, in which delegates from national chess federations met to transact business. Incumbent FIDE president Kirsan IlyumzhinovKirsan Ilyumzhinov
Kirsan Nikolayevich Ilyumzhinov is a Kalmyk multi-millionaire businessman and politician. He was the President of the Republic of Kalmykia in the Russian Federation from 1993 to 2010, and he has been the President of FIDE , the world's pre-eminent international chess organization, since 1995...
faced criticisms for alleged mismanagement and corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
, primarily from Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
federations, including those of the United States
United States Chess Federation
The United States Chess Federation is a non-profit organization, the governing chess organization within the United States, and one of the federations of the FIDE. The USCF was founded in 1939 from the merger of two regional chess organizations, and grew gradually until 1972, when membership...
, England
English Chess Federation
The English Chess Federation is the governing chess organisation in England and is affiliated to FIDE. The ECF was formed in 2004 and was effectively a re-constitution of the extant governing body, the British Chess Federation , an organisation founded in 1904...
, France, and Canada
Chess Federation of Canada
The Chess Federation of Canada or CFC is Canada's national chess organization. Founded in 1872 as the Canadian Chess Association, it was replaced in 1932 by the Canadian Chess Federation , which for the first time included representation from all major cities in Canada...
, but, with the support of most Asian and African delegates, notably those representing Russia
Russian Chess Federation
The Russian Chess Federation is the officially recognized arm of the FIDE in Russia....
and Singapore
Singapore Chess Federation
The Singapore Chess Federation is the principal authority over all chess events in Singapore, and was founded in 1949. Its promotion of the game has caused participation in its youth and interschool events, among others, to jump from 517 in 1999 to over 1200 in 2004...
, staved off a challenge from Dutch businessman Bessel Kok
Bessel Kok
Bessel Kok is a Dutch businessman and chess organiser living in Prague. He has served in top management positions in telecommunications companies in Belgium and in the Czech Republic...
to retain his position through 2010, winning 96 votes (to Kok's 54). http://www.fide.com/news.asp?id=1022
The general assembly also awarded the 38th Chess Olympiad, to be held in 2010, to Khanty-Mansiysk
Khanty-Mansiysk
Khanty-Mansiysk experiences a subarctic climate . The climate is extreme, with temperatures as low as -49 C° and as high as 34.5 C°. On average, however, the region is very cold, with an average tempurature of -1.1 C°...
, Russia, the site of the 2005
2005 in sports
2005 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Bode Miller ** Women's overall season champion: Anja Pärson -American football:...
World Chess Cup and one of five locales that made bids. The city led after every round of the exhaustive ballot
Exhaustive ballot
The exhaustive ballot is a voting system used to elect a single winner. Under the exhaustive ballot the elector simply casts a single vote for his or her favorite candidate. However if no candidate is supported by an overall majority of votes then the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated...
runoff voting
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
, eventually winning, 71-64, over Budva
Budva
Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has around 15,000 inhabitants, and it is the centre of municipality...
, Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
.
Associated events
Held in conjunction with the Olympiad, though not officially sponsored by FIDE, were two computer chessComputer chess
Computer chess is computer architecture encompassing hardware and software capable of playing chess autonomously without human guidance. Computer chess acts as solo entertainment , as aids to chess analysis, for computer chess competitions, and as research to provide insights into human...
events: the 14th World Computer Chess Championship
World Computer Chess Championship
World Computer Chess Championship is an annual event where computer chess engines compete against each other. The event is organized by the International Computer Games Association...
, played at classical time control
Time control
A time control is a mechanism in the tournament play of almost all two-player board games so that each round of the match can finish in a timely way and the tournament can proceed. Time controls are typically enforced by means of a game clock...
s, and the 14th World Computer Speed Chess Championship
World Computer Speed Chess Championship
World Computer Speed Chess Championship is an annual event where computer chess engines compete against each other at blitz chess time controls. It is held in conjunction with the World Computer Chess Championship...
. Junior
Junior (chess)
Junior is a computer chess program authored by the Israeli programmers Amir Ban and Shay Bushinsky. Grandmaster Boris Alterman assisted, in particular with the opening book...
won its fifth championship and third in five years in the slower event, while newcomer Ikarus
Ikarus (chess)
Ikarus was the Computer Speed Chess Champion in 2006. It did so by defeating the four-time champion Shredder in the World Computer Speed Chess Championship which took place on May 29, 2006 in Turin....
defeated four-time defending champion Shredder
Shredder (chess)
Shredder is a commercial chess program developed in Germany by Stefan Meyer-Kahlen in 1993. Shredder won the World Microcomputer Chess Championship in 1996 and 2000, the World Computer Chess Championship in 1999 and 2003, the World Computer Speed Chess Championship in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and...
to win the blitz chess
Blitz chess
Fast chess, also known as blitz chess, lightning chess, sudden death, speed chess, bullet chess and rapid chess, is a type of chess game in which each side is given less time to make their moves than under the normal tournament time controls of 60 to 180 minutes per player.-Overview:The different...
event.