The final match of the FIDE Online Olympiad between Russia and the USA will be held today, on the 15th of September. The match will begin at 7:30 PM Moscow time (16:30 UTC).
The second FIDE Online Olympiad 2020 is held on Chess.com, one of the biggest playing platforms. One hundred fifty-three countries have been taking part in the event from the start. Each team consists of six players and six reserves, in a mixed format with a minimum of three female players and two junior players. The qualifying events were played till the 10th of September. Team Russia entered the field in the Top Division on the 8th of September.
Representing the Russian team are:
Men: GM Alexander Grischuk, GM Daniil Dubov, GM Vladislav Artemiev, GM Vladimir Fedoseev
Women: GM Aleksandra Goryachkina, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, GM Kateryna Lagno, GM Valentina Gunina
Juniors: GM Andrey Esipenko and IM Volodar Murzin
Girls: IM Polina Shuvalova and WGM Leya Garifullina.
The team captain is GM Alexander Motylev.
Team Russia took first place in Pool C, having won all the matches. On the way towards the final, the Russian team defeated Ukraine (4.5-1.5), Germany (6-0), Czech Republic (5-1), Paraguay (4.5-1.5), Israel (5-1), Argentina (6-0), Italy (5-1), Spain (4-2), and Latvia (6-0).
Two best teams of each pool advanced to the knock-out stage (Play-off). In the quarterfinals Team Russia defeated Hungary, having won both matches 3.5-2.5. In the semi-final, the Russians won against the Chinese team, one of the rating favourites. Our players won the first match 3.5-2.5 and the second 4-2 to advance to the final.
The second finalist was determined in the India vs USA match. The Americans won on tie-break (1-5, 4-2, 4.5-1.5) to qualify for the final.
Posted in: fide chess olympiad,russia
