International News Today - Sept 9, 2012

[Fred McKim]

The Chess Olympiad finished earlier today in Istanbul.

In the Open Section Armenia and Russia tied for 1st with Armenia taking the Gold medal on tie-break. Their team consisted of Levon Aronian, Sergei Movsesian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian, and Tigran Petrosian. Ukraine finished one point behing and took Bronze.

Top individual performers (2800+) were Shak Mamedyarov (AZE), David Navara (CZE), Aronian, Radoslaw Wojtaszek (POL), Anton Fillipov (UZE), Teimour Radjabov (AZE), and Akopian.

In the Women's section, Russian and China tied for 1st with Russia taking the Gold medal on tie-break. Their team consisted of Tatiana Kosintseva, Valentina Gunina, Nadezhda Kosintseva, Alexandra Kosteniuk, and Natalija Pogonina. Third place went to Ukraine, who again finished one point off the pace.

Top individual performers (2600+) were N.Kosintseva, Hou Yifan (CHN), Nana Dzagnidze (GEO), and Keterina Lahno (UKR).

Both of the Canadian teams ended up with finishes largely consistent with their ratings. The Open team was ranked 53rd and finished 52nd. The Womens team was ranked 59th and finished 64th. Of course the big news was Eric Hansen's GM norm, which coupled with his result in the earlier Isthmia tournament in Greece makes him a GM-elect. Congratulations also go out to Jackie Peng who will be awarded the WFM title for her fine performance. Great results by the youngest player on each team !!