USA – Russia
The powerhouse Russian team had swept all before them and was leading the Olympiad having dispatched all the other favourites except Armenia who held them to a draw. They were two match-points in front. Their bottom board is Dimitry Jakovenko with a rating of 2722!
Vladimir Kramnik was the player to dethrone Gary Kasparov, considered by many the greatest player of all time (esp by G.K). Kramnik was his protégée and loses very few games. But every player has his “Bete noire” Hikaru Nakamura seems to be Kramniks. He has beaten him with black in the Kings Indian several times and now….well look at this. From an innocuous opening Hikaru drags his opponent into a jungle of variations with no clear way out. I feel completely unqualified to comment on this game but enjoyed playing through it enormously
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If that was not enough then the next game must have shaken the Russians to the core. Modern chess has degenerated to trying to draw with black by playing solidly and win with white by exploiting small advantages garnered through opening preparation. Luckily there are still some thugs around. Playing the Alekhines Defense against one of the worlds strongest players is mindblowing and then winning!?! These two Americans dragged the Russians into a back alley and beat them up badly. Watch..
Australia is doing quite well but could have done even better if David had not let his flag drop in a winning position against Tajikistan yesterday. A tragedy but these things happen. The match was still saved by Moulthun Ly winning on board two. I am taking an extended rest while the others are in good shape. Cheers and see you all soon, Alex.
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