Kazakhstan's women's team defeated France 2.5:1.5 at the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
After three consecutive draws that complicated Kazakhstan's position in the medal race, the team fought hard to secure victory over France. The decisive point on board four was earned by Elnaz Kaliakhmet. Our young star, playing black, forced Pauline Guichard to stop the clock on move 101.
Victoria Kaliakhmet's win was desperately needed by the team today. After Bibisara Assaubayeva won, Meruert Kamalidenova lost, and Alua Nurman drew, the shadow of another, 4th consecutive draw loomed large. Fortunately, Kaliakhmet managed to break open an equal position and in the end wore down her stubborn opponent.
Leaders China dropped their second point at the Olympiad. The first draw was in the match against Kazakhstan, the second in the previous round against India. Thanks to India's stumble, Kazakhstan swapped places with them again in the standings. Before the final round, our girls are second.
♟️ GM* Bibisara Assaubayeva (2536) – IM Deimante Daulyte-Cornette (2391) 1:0
♟️ GM Marie Sebag (2401) – IM Alua Nurman (2455) 0.5:0.5
♟️ IM Meruert Kamalidenova (2413) – IM Sophie Milliet (2358) 0:1
♟️ IM Pauline Guichard (2344) – WIM Elnaz Kaliakhmet (2347) 0:1
- 01GM – grandmaster, IM – international master, WIM – woman international master
Kazakhstan's men's team, having beaten Turkmenistan 3:1, rose from 33rd to 24th place. Moreover, the gap to the top ten is just one point.
Uzbekistan-1 leads after defeating Armenia 3.5:0.5 in the penultimate round.
♟️ GM* Denis Makhnev (2568) – GM Saparmurat Atabayev (2503) 0.5:0.5
♟️ GM Meilis Annaberdiyev (2384) – IM Sauat Nurgaliyev (2493) 0:1
♟️ GM Ansat Aldiyar (2495) – FM Amanmuhammet Hommadov (2389) 0.5:0.5
♟️ Shahrukh Turayev (2222) – GM Zhandos Agmanov (2490) 0:1
- 01GM – grandmaster, IM – international master
398 teams, 1974 chess players, and 240 grandmasters are participating in the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
The tournament is held under the Swiss system in 11 rounds. Each team consists of 4 players and 1 reserve. The time control is classical – 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, plus another 30 minutes. After each move, 30 seconds are added.
A team receives two team points for a match win and one for a draw. In case of equal points, additional tiebreakers come into force.
The winners of the men's tournament are awarded the Lord Frederick Gustavus Hamilton-Russell Cup, and the women's – the Vera Menchik Cup. The federation that becomes the best by the lowest sum of places of both teams is awarded the Nona Gaprindashvili Cup.