Women's Chess Championship 2012 Round 3

With three strongest girls all falls apart, the KO format of Women's Chess Championship is under big talk already. First is Humpy Koneru that played too cool and then freezed by Madame Grischuk, or Natalia Zhukova. She was duly defeated in 2-0 score. Hou Yifan was also can't hold the more experience Monika Socko, vanished via tie break. Third seed Anna Muzychuk do nothing better against Anna Ushenina, going home as well now. All happens as early in round two. While the men's K.O. format of World Championship, some believe still maintained top seed, at least until later stage, the girls are now in question for their randomness champion via this road of competition. Nevertheless, the KO produced exciting pairing and temptative to given a commentaries.

Round 3 Women's World Chess Championship, Khanty Mansiysk 2012, pairings comments:

32 Monika Socko vs 16 Antoaneta Stefanova
Both eliminated world champion, Antoaneta played Zhu Chen previously, then Monika is the steel nerves that back from grave after 0-1 against Hou Yifan. This will be a solid pairing as the two are session players of thirty year old female player, not your just grow up girl in play. Stefanova is the only ex-Women Champion in this round, after the club's member being eliminated massively. The chessgames.com database give Antoaneta a huge plus point against Monika. But again, this is a balance pair that may need go tie break.

8 Marie Sebag  vs 24 Alissa Galliamova
Alissa is still eldest among the participants. She twice in match for champion, against Xie Jun back in the '99s, and Xu Yuhua in 2006. In the interview, Alissa looks fresh and a hard to defeat as an opponent. Marie Sebag go to third round with rather easier road, which is the same as Alissa. A balance pairing as well, interestingly, no Galliamova vs Marie Sebag in the database (?).

4 Zhao Xue  vs 20 Mariya Muzychuk
Behold, Zhao Xue is the strongest seed in round three now. She has been a consistent member of China team for ten years. Her biggest sensation in GP Nalchik 2011 where she won with 9.5/11. This is her chance to added world champion trophy in her portfolio. Mariya Muzychuk is on her way. Perhaps a note here is Mariya will come with free Anna as assistant. Zhao is experience more and could be advanced to round four.

28 Lela Javakhishvili  vs 12 Dronavalli Harika
And the last Indian representative in the bracket. She (maybe) will has team of Humpy and Soumya to help. Her opponent is a middle rank who managed to keep going. Lela Javakhishvili eliminated Katerina Lahno, is dangerous to underestimated. Not sure the outcome!

30 Anna Ushenina  vs 19 Natalia Pogonina
Though "only" seed #19, Natalia is popular favorite. Well known to fans due to her writing and commentaries, this is a chance to add spice for your next talk with fans, Nat! Anna Ushenina is here after eliminated Anna Muzychuk, so here giant killer waiting to give another surprise. Natalia and Anna both born in 1985.

6 Nadezhda vs 11 Tatiana Kosintseva
Now we are the lucky bastard who enjoy sister fight. Nadezha will play a one year younger blood sister, Tatiana. Very much not fixed for sure now, by the system. Who's going to win, the world also had no idea, as the sister put in, "I don't know how to prepare against Nad/Tatiana...." The predict can be two outcome, both played chess , regularly, and can go to tie break. Or.. they just commit one decisive result and save the extra days shopping together again. We'll see.

26 Huang Qian vs 23 Irina Krush
Don't forget the American contender. Irina Krush played a solid comeback and defeat veteran Pia Cramling. She is now quite experience player that played oversea chess, outside the USA soil. Huang Qian is another, not very much known, China team member. But for one thing, Huang Qian is 2012 Chinese Chess Champion ahead of Ju Wenjun. The pairing is well balance in term of rating point, 2470 vs 2465.

15 Ju Wenjun vs 31 Natalia Zhukova Ju Wenjun believe to be the next talent player from the crowd of China players. She finished 1st Hangzhou in 2011, ahead Hou Yifan and the Kosintseva sister. The China team come will enough players to assist their remaining bullets, including off working World Champion on the team now. Natalia Zhukova on other hand, need to refresh herself from the victory against Humpy, determined and focus to repeat the same feat. Spouse to Alexander Grischuk give us interesting pairing, from the point of view of China talent vs dark horse of the tournament.

Women's Chess Championship Knock Out Round 2 Pairings

The all girls party at World Women's Chess Championship 2012, Khanty Mansiysk, Russia is in process. This is knock out rendezvous determined to choose the challenger for World Champion. The 2nd round pairing is up after the Armageddon drama on Mariya Muzychuk vs Cristina Foisor. Here the pairing with bits of big talk about it.

01 Hou Yifan vs 32 Monika Socko
Hou Yifan, of course the number one favorite on this tournament. She is the World Champion and winner of FIDE’s Women Grand Prix, in fact she didn’t even need to play this knock out since the winner will play her for the world title. Her name 侯逸凡, given name Yifan mean extra ordinary, exactly she is, raised from quite Chinese region Jiangsu and then proceed naturally to become world champion, the best from China chess story. However Hou Yifan’s notable weakness, her inexperience is also her opponent strongest point in this round. Monika Socko is well around player, spouse to GM Bartosz Socko, already proved capable to win prestigious. Sixteen year experiences more to Hou Yifan. Monika is hundred point below Hou, yet she will make interesting round to challenge the World Champion.

16 Antoneatta Stefanova vs 17 Zhu Chen
Battle of two former Women World Champion. Zhu Chen is slightly “senior” (can’t say ‘old’ to the ladies) to Stefanova. While Zhu Chen now on declined year after her household duty in Dubai, Stefanova is more having time to practice tournament chess. Both went to round 2 with 2-0 against lower rated opponent.  They had played many times, with Zhu Chen got the better standing. Well balance pairing that may went to tie break.

08 Marie Sebag vs 25 Olga Girya
GM Marie Sebag is eight seed fighting new comer Olga Girya. Hailed from Moscow. A senior vs junior pairing, both are active in European club as well. Olga is runner Girl Championship in 2011.

09 Valentina Gunina vs 24 Alisa Galliamova
Alisa Galliamova born 1972, making her the most senior in the round. Ex candidate challenger, she will playing rising star Valentina Gunina. Valentine is Gold Medal in European Individual and Russian’s 2012 gold medal olympiad team. This will be extreme example of experience try to overcome junior, something hard to do in women’s chess.

04 Zhao Xue vs 36 Nino Khurtsidze
Another very strong woman player from China. Nino is on other hand belong to generation that experience the Georgian’s domination on women in ’90. But seeing how Zhao Xue well balance play, Nino will got difficult time maintained the Georgian legacy.

52 Maritza Arribas Robaina vs 20 Mariya Muzychuk
A slight luck for rather unknown Cuban Maritza, her opponent Mariya Muzichuk is the most exhausted girl from last night. Mariya will need to get energy to fight natural born talent from Caribbean in less than 24 hours after her Armageddon night. We hope Mariya can go through to completed the sister bonding in this Knock Out session with her sister, Anna Muzichuk.

05 Kateryna Lahno vs 28 Lela Javakhishvili
Another former European Individual champ, she will take Georgian Olympiad member Lela Javakhishvili. Based on Kateryna performance in last Olympiad, seems she is able to balance between working on chess and manage her newborn twin. Seed no.5 is likely a favorite.

12 Drovalli Harika vs 21Elina Danielian
Second top women player from Indian is Drovalli Harika. Drovalli come with enough rest day after defeat fellow Indian player in round 1. The challenger is Armenian experience player Elina Danielian, who must go tie break last night to get to round 2. Bit of balance pairing and can go to tie break.

3 Anna Muzychuk vs 30 Anna Ushenina
The battle of Anna, which one you prefer? Anna Muzychuk is strongest participant from European continental in the field. She will face Ukrainian Anna Ushenina which is five more years senior than Muzychuk.

19 Natalie Pogonina vs 14 Alexandra Kosteniuk
Quite unfortunate pairing for two of women player that most popular to audients. Alexandra is still the charming Queen of Chess, slow making her way back to elite chess nowday. Part of Olympiad team that grab the gold medal. Natalie on other hand is also close to chess fans. Actively in commentaries and vote chess against the world. The most interesting pairing of this round. Their record in chessgames.com is equal.

06 Nadezhda Kosintseva vs 27 Lilith Mkrtchian
22 Hoang Thanh Trang vs 11 Tatiana Kosintseva
If the elo rating well function, we will get the first decisive result of the Kosintseva sister playing each other. Of course there are Lilith and Hoang in the way. For sake of entertainment please make way for the Kosintseva derby match.

07 Victoria Cmilyte vs 26 Huang Qian
Can Huang Qian combined her luck and score a big tournament result here? She has been a while in the China team yet haven’t get her big moment. Her opponent is a strong Lithuanian GM Victoria. On the elo rating this maybe Huang Qian another end of vacation in Siberia.

23 Irina Krush vs 10 Pia Cramling
Unfortunately Irina crushed the only South East Asian girl in the field, Li Ruofan in a tense tie break last night. (Li Ruofan is Singapore representative.) Irina will then face Sweden very experience Pia Cramling. Pia is still looking for her fortune in her forty, while Irina is trying to become USA first woman Grand Master.

15 Ju Wenjun vs 18 Anna Zatonskih
Ju Wenjun is bright star on the generation of Hou Yifan, her rating graphic is also keep rising. She will be challenge by the other American Anna Zatonskih, Irina’s Krush Armageddon partner. Well balance pairing, an interesting China vs America chess of school battle.

31 Natalia Zhukova vs 2 Humpy Koneru
And the second strongest lady in town, Koneru Humpy is thirsty looking for her breakthrough after a while. Nemesis to Hou Yifan, is on her not very well fortune situation for years now. On her way to challenge Hou is Natalia Zhukova. A big gap to overcome by the Ukrainian lady, but of course the secret weapon here is Natalia’s access to GM Alexander Grischuk advise. Can Natalia upset the challenger of Women’s World Championship? The record show Koneru in better score.

Let's the round begin!

2nd Indonesia Open 2012

Coming up this week is the second Indonesia Open. Happening 10th to 17th October 2012 in Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel Jakarta, not only the tournament filled with chess stars, but for the once , Indonesian event got well internationally news coverage. As reported by Chessdom, the first round is clear. WGM Irene K. Sukandar paired with GM Li Chao (B) and managed to hold an half point. The chessbomb live transmit got problem and can't get the confirmed game score. As the other top seed went little injured in this first round.

Official website, http://indonesiaopen.chessdom.com/ provided enough information. Interview with Tania Sachdev, IM Sophie Millet, GM Dao Thien Hai etc all well reported.

IM Sophie Millet, photo from Chessdom

2012 Chess Olympiad Final-Armenia Gold

Armenia rewarded a gold medal in the final of 2012 Chess Olympiad Turkey. Come very close and rewarded silver is team Russian. Bronze went to Ukraine. In Armenia vs Hungaria , it takes a while to confirm the champion because the battle in Judit Polgar vs Vladimir Akopian went to 90s moves before a draw. Thus Armenia dully won 2.5-1.5 by Movsessian won against Zoltan Almasi. Ukraine comfortably beat China, and Russian to Germany both in 3-1. Russian and Armenia in 19 points but Russian get the unlucky tie break system and must satisfy with a silver. Armenia, Russia and Ukraine consistently dominated Gold medal of Chess Olympiad in the last ten years.

2012 Chess Olympiad Medals:
Gold - Armenia 19
Silver - Russia 19
Bronze - Ukraine 18
4 China 17
5 United States Of America 17
6 Netherlands 16
7 Vietnam 16
21 Phillipines 14
59 Singapore 12
64 Malaysia 12
73 Indonesia 11

Women:
GOLD - Russia 19
SILVER - China 19
BRONZE - Ukraine 18
4 India 17
5 Romania 16
6 Armenia 16
7 France 15
24 Indonesia 14
26 Vietnam 13
43 Phillipines 12
61 Malaysia 11

Board best: (not confirmed)
Board 1: Levon Aronian, Armenia
Board 2: David Navara, Czech Rep.
Board 3: Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar Azerbaijan
Board 4: Vladislav Tkachiev, French
Board 5: Dmitry Jakovenko, Russia

Women
Board 1: Hou Yifan, China
Board 2: Zhao Xue, China
Board 3: Nadezhda Kosintseva, Russia
Board 4: Huang Qian, China
Board 5: Natalia Pogonina, Russia

Tim Indonesia menyudahi perjuangan di Olympiade Catur 2012 Turkey dengan kemenangan ganda di babak terakhir. Tim putera mengalahkan Irak 2.5-1.5 dan tim puteri berjaya mengalahkan tim Yunani yang lebih kuat ratingnya 3-1. Hasil bagus dihasilkan tim puteri yang menjadi tim terbaik kategori group C. Tim puteri juga tim ASEAN berposisi tertinggi bahkan di atas tim Vietnam. Chelsie Monica Sihite dikabarkan meraih norma WGM dan menjadi penghasil angka paling baik dengan delapan angka hasil dari sepuluh kali tanding (8/10). Tim putera juga mengakhiri dengan angka positif. Prestasi olimpiade sebelumnya adalah tim putera di peringkat 67 dan tim puteri di peringkat 43.

Indonesia - Iraq  2½:1½
44.1 IM Purnama, Tirta Chandra 2384 - FM Abdul, Ahmed Abdulsattar 2314 0 - 1
44.2 IM Halay, Taufik 2361 - FM Ahmed, Ali Layth 2360 ½ - ½
44.3 CM Firmansyah, Farid 2318 - IM Al-Ali, Hussein 2329 1 - 0
44.4 CM Muhammad, Luthfi Ali 2078 - CM Ismael, Namir 2189 1 - 0

18 Greece - Indonesia 1 : 3
13.1 IM Dembo, Yelena 2457 - WFM Medina, Warda Aulia 2218 0 - 1
13.2 WGM Botsari, Anna-Maria 2336 - WIM Sihite, Chelsie Monica 2162 0 - 1
13.3 WIM Fakhiridou, Ekaterini 2215 - WFM Citra, Dewi 2143 0 - 1
13.4 WIM Pavlidou, Ekaterini 2237 - Fisabilillah, Ummi 0 1 - 0

Chelsie Monica Sihite - Anna-Maria Botsari 1-0
2012 Chess Olympiad Turkey round 11, B49 Sicilian Taimanov

Ekaterini Fakhiridou - Dewi Citra 0-1
2012 Chess Olympiad Turkey round 11, B84 Sicilian Scheveningen

2012 Chess Olympiad Round 10-Indonesia defeats Denmark

In the second final round of 2012 Chess Olympiad in Turkey, team Armenia defeat Netherland in significant margin of 3-1 to jump in the tie break galore of 17 points together with China and Russia. Round 10 saw  team China removed United States of America hope to compete in medal receiver with a narrow win 2.5-1.5. Alexander Onischuk was unable to defend rook+pawns endgame against Ding Liren. Russia also get a narrow won 2.5-1.5 against Argentine with Dmitry Jakovenko gone into inferior position all the time against Sandro Mareco but Sergey Karjakin won in encounter with Diego Flores. This tie break will decided in final round on Sunday where the pairing will be Ukraine-China, Armenia-Hungaria, Russia-Germany. So about five team are plausible for medals. In the South East Asian derby Vietnam played draw to Phillipine. Le Quang Liem split point to Wesley So in top board.

The Women room also saw China and Russia tie break on 17 point. In Round 10 surprisingly China girls lost a full point and must satisfy with 2-2 against Kazakhstan, where board four Ding Yixin lost to Madina Davletbayeva. The Russian beauties dominantly destroy Armenia 3.5-0.5. Ukraine and French ladies still behind the leader with wins.

In Indonesia stories. Both team against Scandinavian's 'viking'. The men's team didn't make it survive against Finland. Susanto Megaranto able to stop Tommy Nyback, but board 2 and 3 lost. In last board, Luthfi Ali was score upset to 2300 opponent Daniel Ebeling. With this Indonesia boys were on minus score , way rank below their previous Olympiad achievement. Final round see Indonesia face Iraq.

Indonesian girls get the better momentum by defeat Denmark. While top board Medina only able to split point with her lower rated opponent, board 2 and 3 , Chelsie Monica and Dewi Citra give a full score. Board four saw Anisa lost to her slightly upper hand opponent. The girls were in better ranking of 35th position , after round 10. Chelsie Monica is at 7/9, so far best performer in Indonesian team.

2012 Chess Olympiad after round 10
1 China 17
2 Armenia 17
3 Russia 17
4 Ukraine 16
5 Hungary 15
6 United States Of America 15

2012 Chess Olympiad after round 101 China 17
2 Russia 17
3 Ukraine 16
4 France 15
5 Kazakhstan 15
6 Germany 15
7 India 15

Di babak last two, ronde sepuluh Olimpiade Catur 2012 di Turki, tim putera harus menyerah melawan tim 'Viking' Finlandia. Walaupun sebelumnya tim Indonesia konsisten mempertahankan pola menang-kalah-menang-kalah, tapi di ronde ini lawanpun semakin berat. Susanto Megaranto bertemu lawan GM Tomi Nyback tapi berhasil menahan remis. Susanto dan Tomi mengakhiri permainan saat pertemuan benteng dan kuda ternyata tidak menghasilkan timbang kekuatan setelah 40 langkah. Papan dua dan tiga kalah, Taufik Halay bertahan cukup lama di permainan akhir benteng melawan benteng + 2 bidak. Komputer memberi angka 0.xxx untuk hitam (Taufik) tetapi kendala waktu sepertinya membuat Taufik musti menelan kekalahan. Farid juga bertahan cukup solid setelah masing-masing saling gempur di permainan Sisilia, Farid membuat dua kesalahan di langkah 39 dan 40 injury time dan terpaksa menyerah setelah hitam dengan leluasa melayangkan benteng dan ratu di depan raja putih. Kemenangan hiburan diperoleh Luthfi Ali melawan Daniel Ebeling yang 300 point lebih tinggi. Memegang hitam di permainan Sisilia Luthfi Ali berhasil menekan hingga unggul bidak di permainan akhir dan menang.

Puteri Indonesia juga melawan tim Skandinavia lainnya, kali ini mereka yang menang melawan Denmark. Walaupun tertahan seri oleh lawan yang rating lebih rendah sedikit, remisnya Medina bisa ditebus dua kemenangan Chelsie Monica dan Dewi Citra. Tetapi papan terakhir masih kecolongan angka karena Aisyah dikalahkan Marie. Dengan hasil ini tim puteri lebih naik posisi menjadi peringkat sementara 35. Pecatur puteri Chelsie Monica Sihite sementara adalah pemain Indonesia dengan performer tertinggi di angka 7/9. Sedangkan tim putera jatuh ke angka minus melalui hasil ronde sepuluh ini, Susanto cs akan menghadapi tim Irak di ronde sebelas dan Chelsie cs menghadapi tim Yunani.

Di babak sepuluh papan atas. Tim Rusia mengalahkan Argentina, Armenia menang mutlak atas Belanda dan China mengalahkan USA. Sehingga ada tiga tim dengan angka 17 di papan atas yang berarti kemungkinan pembagian medali terpaksa melalui tie break karena ketiga tim ini Armenia, Rusia dan China saling bertemu lawan yang berbeda di babak terakhir. Di bagian puteri persaingan tim Rusia dan China terus berlanjut dan keduanya akan membagi medali melalui tie break juga seandainya kedua tim menang di babak terakhir.

Laporan official dari Tim Merah Putih dalam bahasa Indonesia semua tersedia di blog http://potretcatur.blogspot.com

68 Indonesia - 52 Finland 1½:2½
36.1 GM Megaranto, Susanto 2529 - GM Nyback, Tomi 2638 ½ - ½
36.2 IM Halay, Taufik 2361 - IM Karttunen, Mika 2448 0 - 1
36.3 CM Firmansyah, Farid 2318 - IM Agopov, Mikael 2429 0 - 1
36.4 CM Muhammad, Luthfi Ali 2078 - FM Ebeling, Daniel 2350 1 - 0

  54 Indonesia - 51 Denmark 2½:1½
21.1 WFM Medina, Warda Aulia 2218 - WIM Vovk, Oksana Romanovna 2159 ½ - ½
21.2 WIM Sihite, Chelsie Monica 2162 - WFM Guindy, Esmat Susanne 2132 1 - 0
21.3 WFM Citra, Dewi 2143 - WFM Fredericia, Louise Winther 2091 1 - 0
21.4 Aay, Aisyah Anisa 1818 - WFM Frank-Nielsen, Marie 1983 0 - 1

Farid Firmansyah - Mikael Agopov 0-1
Chess Olympiad 2012 Turkey, Round 10, B38 Accelarated Dragon Maroczy Bind

Daniel Ebeling - Luthfi Ali, M 0-1
Chess Olympiad 2012 Turkey, Round 10, B33 Pelikan Chelyabinsk

2012 Chess Olympiad Round 9 Hikaru Nakamura defeat Kramnik

In the top news of 2012 Chess Olympiad Turkey, GM Hikaru Nakamura defeat Vladimir Kramnik. Several notes for this victory, Nakamura surpassing Kramnik in live rating, and close to 2800. Gata Kamsky defeat Alexander Grischuk and United States now level the point together with China, Russia and Armenia all with 15 points. Armenia defeats Germany. China finally stop Phillipine getting more point, all board 2 to 3 are exhausted and defeat to the Chinese. On the other story, Vietnam give the second consecutive lost to English. Argentine make it to top ten after seize point to Serbia, making all three continents, Europe, Asia, North America and Latin all have their representative.

In Women news, China hold their supremacy with a sole lead. China defeat France, Russia continue the battle with a win over India. United States lost to Ukraine girls.

2012 Chess Olympiad Chess Olympiad Turkey after round 9
1 China 15
2 Russia 15
3 3 Armenia 15
4 United States Of America 15
5 Ukraine 14
6 Netherlands 14
7 Argentina 14
8 Czech Republic 13
9 Azerbaijan 13
10 Hungary 13
11 Germany 13
12 Philippines 13

2012 Chess Olympiad Turkey after Round 9 Women
1 China 16
2 Russia 15
3 Ukraine 14
4 Kazakhstan 14
5 Poland 14
6 Armenia 14
7 France 13
8 Israel 13

As predicted, Indonesian teams didn't make it survive in "odd" (tough) round. The boys team surrender 1-3 against Mexico. The girls narrowly missed the draw against Italian ladies. Chelsie Monica stolen a point, her games was being mistaken reported in chessbomb, Chelsie playing white and won against Olga Zimina in 86 moves over K+B vs K+1p endgame.  

Mexico (MEX) Rtg - 68 Indonesia (INA) Rtg 3½: ½
25.1 GM Leon Hoyos, Manuel 2579 - GM Megaranto, Susanto 2529 1 - 0
25.2 GM Gonzalez Zamora, Juan Carlos 2553 - IM Purnama, Tirta Chandra 2384 1 - 0
25.3 GM Gonzales Garcia, Jose 2532 - CM Firmansyah, Farid 2318 ½ - ½
25.4 IM Ibarra Chami, Luis Fernando 2481 - CM Muhammad, Luthfi Ali 2078 1 - 0

Italy (ITA) Rtg - 54 Indonesia (INA) Rtg 2½:1½
17.1 IM Sedina, Elena 2338 - WFM Medina, Warda Aulia 2218 1 - 0
17.2 IM Zimina, Olga 2327 - WIM Sihite, Chelsie Monica 2162 0 - 1
17.3 WIM Brunello, Marina 2239 - WFM Citra, Dewi 2143 1 - 0
17.4 WFM De Rosa, Mariagrazia 2087 - Aay, Aisyah Anisa 1818 ½ - ½

Kembali tim Indonesia gagal menahan lawan di ronde ganjil yang selalu bertemu lawan "berat" . Tim putera harus menyerah kalah 1-3 melawan Mexico yang memiliki 3 pemain rating 2500an. Di Olimpiade sebelumnya Susanto Megaranto mengalahkan Leon Hoyos, namun hari ini si Mexican berhasil membalas kesumat-nya. Di bagian puteri, ada sedikit perjuangan namun menyerah 1.5-2.5. Chelsie Monica yang bermain putih berhasil mencuri point dari Olga Zimina dari tim Italia. Di website chessbomb, games ini sepertinya dilaporkan salah. Chelsie memegang buah putih dan mengalahkan Olga melalui 80an langkah dalam permainan akhir Gajah melawan satu bidak.

Grandmaster Amerika Serikat mengalahkan mantan juara catur dunia Vladimir Kramnik, di babak ke sembilan Olimpiade Catur 2012 di Turki. Melalui kemenangan ini atas tim Russia, dan kemenangan Gata Kamsky atas Alexander Grischuk, tim USA ada di posisi ke empat dengan angka 15, setara dengan tiga tim pengejar medali lainnya, China, Armenia dan Russia. China mengalahkan tim Phillipina yang tampil solid di Olimpiade edisi ini. Sementara tim Vietnam mengalahkan Inggris, sehingga Inggris mengalami kekalahan berturut-turut melawan tim ASEAN. Di sisi lain, Olimpiade 2012 di Turki ini ditandai insiden pencekalan jurnalis Russia oleh tuan rumah. Pencekalan ini dicurigai berkaitan dengan pemberitaan si jurnalis terhadap keburukan tuan rumah dalam penyelenggaraan kejuaraan catur wanita sebelumnya, mengakibatkan simpati buruk kepada kebebasan pers di Turki. Beberapa grandmaster dunia menyatakan sikap dukungan terhadap si jurnalis.

Chelsie Monica Sihite - Olga Zimina 0-1
2012 Chess Olympiad round 9,C54 Giucco Piano

2012 Chess Olympiad Round8 Indonesia defeat Lithuania

Russian played as best team so far in round 8 of 2012 Chess Olympiad, Istanbul Turkey. Russian stop another all 2700 team Ukraine, Sergey Karjakin patiently outplay Andrey Volokitin in R+1 endgame. Must be a bitter lost of Ukraine who formerly Ukrainian. China halt Azerbaijan 2-2, on other side Armenia won 3-1 to Uzbekistan. United States stop hot rising team Macedonia without Hikaru Nakamura. Finally Phillipines destroy England 3-1, Eugene Torre finally beat a top GM as in Nigel Short. Landing him a 2800 rating performance and Phillipine now in the 6th position after round 8. Wesley So drawing Michael Adams in top board.

In Women part, China defeat medal competitor Poland win both Hou Yifan and Zhao Xue won. Russian girls split point with Ukrainian, Natalia Pogonina lost her first. Nadezhda Kosinteva is the only undefeat girl in Russian team now with 6.5/7. French ladies also show serious medal hunting, they defeat Spain 3-1. USA team defeat Phillipine and India overcame Vietnam.

2012 Chess Olympiad After Round 8
1 Russia 15
2 China 13
3 Armenia 13
4 United States Of America 13
5 Germany 13
6 Philippines 13

2012 Chess Olympiad After Round 8 Women
1 China 14
2 Russia 13
3 France 13
4 India 13
5 Uzbekistan 13
6 Ukraine 12
7 United States of America USA 12
8 Poland 12

In Indonesian team news, both won in the "even" round. Boys take good care of Lithuania 3.5-0.5 and girls won against El Salvador. Susanto Megaranto shredding off GM Malisauskas Vidmantas in 31 moves 1.d4 Neo King India London System A48.

Indonesia meneruskan konsistensi untuk menebus kekalahan di ronde "ganjil" dengan kemenangan di ronde "genap". Dengan sistem swiss ini diharapkan setidaknya tim Indonesia terus diambang angka plus. Ronde ke delapan Olimpiade Catur 2012 di Istambul Turki, tim putera Indonesia mengalahkan tim Lithuania hampir sempurna, 3.5-0.5. Susanto mengalahkan GM Vidmantas Malisauskas di pembukaan 1.d4 Hindia Raja Baru dalam 31 langkah saja. Di tim puteri, mereka mengalahkan tim El Salvador 3-1, hanya Immi yang gagal memetik kemenangan.

Di berita utama Olimpiade Catur 2012, Russian masih terus berjaya mengalahkan tim kuat Ukraina. Sergey Karjakin menjadi pemetik angka satu-satunya melawan pecatur tajam Andrey Volokitin. Sergey Karjakin sebelumnya adalah warga negara Ukraina dan ganti federasi ke Russia. Sementara Armenia juga menambah angka dengan kemenangan atas Uzbekistan. Tim Phillipine terus menyodok ke perebutan papan atas dengan mengalahkan tim Inggris. GM Eugene Torre, pecatur Asia pertama bergelar GM masih menunjukkan kehebatannya mengalahkan mantan kandidat Juara Dunia GM Nigel Short. Phillipine sekarang di posisi ke enam klasemen sementara ronde 8. Tim putera Indonesia di klasemen sementara posisi 59, masih di atas Malaysia dan Singapore. Tim puteri di posisi 33, bernilai sama dengan puteri Phillipina.

Pecatur puteri China menduduki papan atas klasemen sementara setelah mengalahkan tim kuat Polandia. Tim Russian ditahan Ukraina 2-2 dan tim wanita Prancis kuatan posisi dengan menaklukan wanita Spanyol.

Indonesia (INA) - Lithuania (LTU) 3½: ½
40.1 GM Megaranto, Susanto 2529 - GM Malisauskas, Vidmantas 2451 1 - 0
40.2 IM Purnama, Tirta Chandra 2384 - IM Beinoras, Mindaugas 2346 1 - 0
40.3 IM Halay, Taufik 2361 - IM Pileckis, Emilis 2443 1 - 0
40.4 CM Firmansyah, Farid 2318 - IM Labeckas, Kestutis 2378 ½ - ½

Indonesia (INA) - El Salvador (ESA) 3 : 1
23.1 WFM Medina, Warda Aulia 2218 - WIM Zepeda Cortes, Lorena Marisela 2139 1 - 0
23.2 WIM Sihite, Chelsie Monica 2162 - WCM Sanchez Oliva, Ingrid Lizeth 1992 1 - 0
23.3 Aay, Aisyah Anisa 1818 - WFM Avelar Bonilla, Gabriela Maria 1939 1 - 0
23.4 Fisabilillah, Ummi 0 - Garcia Mendez, Alcira Guadalupe 1782 0 - 1

Susanto Megaranto - Vidmantas Malisauskas 1-0
2012 Chess Olympiad Round 8, A48 Neo King Indian London System