The votes have been tallied and Turkey won the 2012 bid to host the Chess Olympiad. The final count was 95 for Istanbul (Turkey), 40 for Budva (Montenegro), and 1 no vote.
It will be held in Istanbul in 2012. Mr. Ali Nihat Yazici, President of the Turkish Chess Federation, in a press conference with me 2 nights ago, promised that it will be the best Olympiad ever! In addition, Mr. Yazici added that Turkey will have about a 10 million Euros dedicated to the 2012 Chess Olympiad.
/ posted on
Susan Polgar's blog /
Interestingly, Turkey and Mr. Yazici's win was by far easier than his recent struggle to retain TCF presidency. Congratulations Turkey and the whole chess world keeps its fingers for your success. Knowing of your passion and hospitality we rest assured you are able to meet highest standards and host exciting event.
On the other hand, it's been second time in a row when Montenegro lost the Olympiad run (2010 went to Russia). Obviously world's youngest independent state needs a third strike and they certainly deserve their place in the history. Go Montenegro!
* * * Olympiad Medal Watch - who can win which medal?
The rest day before the early-morning last round (10:00 CET) is a good moment to summarize top teams' chances on grabbing medals. In the open section, Armenia, Ukraine and China have leaped forward after winning the penultimate round. Gold and silver-medalists from the 2006 Turin Olympiad, Armenia and China, will conveniently match eachother in the last round to directly participate in the medal distribution. And while Armenians are holding the destiny in their own hands, as the win will certainly bring gold medal thanks to superior additional criteria compared to Ukraine, China has to win to secure "at least" bronze medal. Would there be more, it pretty much depends on the results of Ukraine and Israel.
Ukraine is paired against the storming USA, who were already written-off by the AP journalist. Win guarantees at least silver, while 2-2 tie will be at least bronze - or silver if Israel doesn't win, or gold if in addition China knocks Armenia down. Turin-bronze USA can take bronze if: Armenia beats China, USA beats Ukraine, Israel loses to Netherlands, Russia-Spain finishes in 2-2 and 26 points in the first tiebreak of Netherlands somehow vanish (which includes too many other teams as variables).
Israel is well positioned thanks to the fantastic first tiebreak and they could even claim gold if they win and both Armenia and Ukraine lose. Win in any case brings at least bronze. Russia can still climb on the stage if they beat Spain, Israel loses (or draws, but then it will be tight on TB2) and China doesn't win. Netherlands is in similar position, but they also need Russia not to win.
Women sectionIn the women section, the 9th-seeded Poland is alone on the top with one round to go. This fantastic result can appear surprising only to those who don't know the fantastic friendship and spirit inside this team. Even in the individual tournaments, as we witnessed in Nalchik, Polish women would closely follow and provide moral support to their compatriots. Poland is paired against Ukraine, seeded 2nd, and is enjoying the luxury of being in commanding position. Draw against Ukraine would be gold unless Georgia beats Serbia, in which case Poland takes silver (TB2). Even a defeat, which they probably don't even think of, might be a bronze, but only if Russia and USA don't win, which wouldn't really be a safe bet.
Ukraine will defend 2006 Olympiad gold if they beat Poland. In case of a draw, they win silver if Georgia-Serbia is also tied, otherwise it will be a bronze. Georgia is adding steam as the tournament progresses, having signed four consecutive wins, three of which were maximum 4-0. If they win tomorrow, and Poland draws, this will be the first team gold medal since 1996, when China took over. If Poland-Ukraine is decided, a win is certain silver. A draw against Serbia significantly complicates matters, as USA might surpass them with the unpredictable TB2.
Serbia has no other choice but to beat Georgians if they want a medal. If, in addition, Poland outplays Ukraine, that would be a silver, otherwise a bronze is guaranteed. Draw brings bronze only if Ukraine loses, and USA and Russia don't win. USA and Russia could win and sneak in for a bronze if Ukraine loses, but Russia also has weaker tiebreaks and they need USA not to win against France.
/ taken from
Chessdom.com /