Tied for First: Armenia to Face Hungary in Final Round at Chess Olympiad
By Weekly Staff // Posted on September 7, 2012 in News // 3 Comments // 
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ISTANBUL, Turkey (A.W.)—With one round to go, Armenia shares the lead with China and Russia, and will face Hungary in the final round on Sept. 9, at the Chess Olympiad in Istanbul.
Armenia will face off with Hungary in the final round. (Photo by Arman Karakhanyan)
Armenia defeated the Netherlands 3-1 in the 10th round to maintain their spot on top of the standings with 18 points. China defeated the U.S., and Russia defeated Argentina, both 2.5-1.5, to tie with Armenia for first place. Armenia is second on tiebreak.
In the final round, Armenia will face off with Hungary, Russia will take on Germany, and China will play the Ukraine.
Armenia has emerged victorious from 8 out of 10 matches so far. It has only lost to China and drawn its match against Russia.
Organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Olympiad is the most prestigious team competition in the chess world.
The top-seeds are Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, China, and the U.S., respectively.
The Armenian national team is represented by Levon Aronian, Sergei Movsesian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian, and Tigran Petrosian.
Armenia won the 2006 and 2008 Olympiads, and came in seventh in 2010.
A number of Armenian chess players are representing other countries. Most notable among them are Varuzhan Akobian, who is on the U.S. team, and Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian on the Brazilian team.
The Olympiad is comprised of 11 rounds, and will conclude on Sept. 10.
The Armenian Weekly has been providing up-to-the-minute results on its Facebook page, and detailed coverage on its website.
All I hope, that Hungarian side won’t offer bribe money under chess table !!
Let’s teach Hungary a lesson on the chess board. Nothing sweeter than a victory at an intellectual game.
In football news, Armenia started off the World Cup qualifying campaign with a victory over Malta. We now lead the group with 3 points, but all is ahead. God speed.
Armenia is not tied to first place; Armenia is behind in tie-breaks, in other words, if the tournament were to end today, Armenia will get the silver, and not share the gold. 1.