Russia takes gold at the World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad

Russia takes gold at the World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad

The Turkish Chess Federation (TCF) organised the World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad in Kocaeli, Turkey from 23rd October to 1st November. The Olympiad was conducted under the auspices of Federation Internationale Des Echecs (FIDE).

Entitled to participate were players who shall not have reached the age of 16, by 1st January 2011, (Date of Birth 1995 and after). TCF provided free board and lodging for a team of 4 players and the official for ten days.

Armenia held the lead throughout the tournament, but the Russian team played a very convincing finish, overtook the top position in the penultimate round and eventually clinched the gold medal. Russia won 9 matches and lost one.

Armenia, with 6 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses, takes silver medal, point and a half behind Russia.

Azerbaijan’s final round 4-0 victory against Turkey-White allowed them to catch Iran on the shared third place, but Iran claims the bronze on better tie-break.

The tournament was played as a 10 Round Swiss. Each match between teams was conducted over 4 boards. The time control was 90 minutes with 30 seconds increments per move.

122 players from Turkey, Scotland, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Switzerland, Slovakia, India, Russia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Iran, Kenya, Armenia, Czech Republic, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Moldova, England and Georgia, competed.

More information on the official website

Round 10 results:

Russia 3½ – ½ Czech Republic
Armenia 3½ – ½ Kyrgyzstan
Kazakhstan 1 – 3 Iran
Azerbaijan 4 – 0 Turkey-White
Turkey-Red 0 – 4 India
Georgia 2 – 2 Syria
Moldova 1½ – 2½ Malaysia
Turkey-Turkuaz 0 – 4 South Africa-Team-A
UAE-Team-A 0 – 4 Switzerland
England 4 – 0 UAE-Team-B
UAE-Team-C 0 – 4 Slovakia
Scotland 3½ – ½ Kenya
Turkey-Kocaeli 0 – 4 South Africa-Team-B

Final standings:

1 Russia 30
2 Armenia 28½
3 Iran 27½
4 Azerbaijan 27½
5 India 25
6 South Africa-Team-A 22
7 Kazakhstan 21½
8 Switzerland 21½
9 England 21½
10 Slovakia 21½
11 Malaysia 21
12 Scotland 21
13 Georgia 20½
14 Syria 20½
15 Czech Republic 20
16 Kyrgyzstan 20
17 Moldova 19½
18 Turkey-Red 19
19 Turkey-White 19
20 South Africa-Team-B 19
21 Turkey-Turkuaz 18½
22 UAE-Team-A 17½
23 UAE-Team-B 14½
24 Turkey-Kocaeli 14
25 UAE-Team-C 7
26 Kenya 2½