Today has been the final round, and all things, good or bad, must eventually come to an end and for many time has just flown by in the Batumi World Chess Olympiad 2018.
Open
We have had the dream finale, the top seeded defending champions USA and winners of the previous Olympiad before them, China, meeting in the final round when tied together for the lead with 17 points each.
Behind them on 16 points were France and Russia who also meet and the surprise package of the tournament in Poland who played an early favourite in India now on 15 points.
Kazakhstan is also on 15 points and following a point behind, on 14 points, are Philippines and Vietnam who also clashed in a final round encounter.
In the end it was all a bit of an anti-climax when the USA and China drew 2-2 and while Russia did all they could by beating France 2.5-1.5 thanks to Ian Nepomniachtchi, the tie-breaks were applied and it was finally 1. China, 2. USA, and 3. Russia.
Of the other leading Asian teams, India finished sixth and Vietnam seventh, Uzbekistan 16th and Iran 17th, and Kazakhstan 21st and Mongolia 22nd.
Quiet and modest, China No 1. Ding Liren did not allow his injury from successfully leading the China team and yes, the World No. 4 is still on his long record breaking unbeaten streak and continues to have the highest performance level in 2018.
The full results are at: http://chess-results.com/tnr368908.aspx?lan=1&art=3&rd=11&flag=30
Women
China led with 17 points going into the last round and met with eternal rivals Russia who are only on 15 points after a disappointing tournament.
A point behind are USA and Ukraine on 16 points who met each other while Armenia floated down to play 15 point Georgia. The other 15 pointer being Azerbaijan and Vietnam was floated up to play them.
With a 2-2 draw, China became the champions in somewhat dramatic fashion with new team leader and World Champion Ju Wenjun keeping the game going against former Russian World Champion Alexandria Kosteniuk after her team went 0-1 down and finally winning.
So it is 1. China, 2. Ukraine and 3. Georgia!
Of the other leading Asian teams, India was eighth, Kazakhstan 11th, Iran 14th, Vietnam 15th, Uzbekistan 17th, and Mongolia 20th.
Here we have the big Mongolia-India face-off, Vietnam happy before their game, and a slighly more serious Kazakhstan. These women will soon be fighting like tigers but before and at the end of each game and match they will be as friendly as can be!
The full results are at: http://chess-results.com/tnr368909.aspx?lan=1&art=3&rd=11&flag=30