45th Chess Olympiad Day 7: Photos that tell the tale
After the sixth round at the Olympiad, players had to make a tough call – whether to attend the Bermuda party or not. The Bermuda party is an opportunity for the players, coaches, and officials of all the federations to unwind, socialize, and enjoy a break from the tournament. The party is filled with energetic music, lively dancing, and an overall festive atmosphere. While many players attend the party for fun calling it the ‘best day’, some choose to skip it calling it the ‘rest day’ and stay focused on the upcoming rounds. Whatever the decision, we hope each player made the choice that was right for them. As we move forward with the tournament, let’s explore some memorable pictures from Day 7.
1) All eyes on Magnus
When Magnus is playing in the tournament, it’s very unlikely that people will not look at his game. Whether it's spectators, commentators, or fellow players, all eyes naturally gravitate toward the board where the legend is playing. Even his own teammate can't help but sneak a glance to see what Magnus has played.
It’s always fun to see Anish and Magnus in one frame!
2) Legends in the commentary room
Day 7 was filled with intense games, especially for the Indian team. The ChessBase India commentary room was also filled with so many thrilling moments! And it was even more thrilling when two legends joined in to share their analysis of the games. Anand’s entry at the Olympiad venue has created so much excitement among Indian fans.
3) Historic Debut
This is the first time the Women’s team from the British Virgin Islands is participating in the Olympiad. Notably, 13-year-old Tiandra Scatliffe has made history by becoming the first female from the islands to secure a victory at the event. Even though all the team members are unrated, they will get full ratings for their fighting spirit. With the support of local organizations like the Guana Fund, the BVI Tourist Board, First Caribbean, and the Ministry of Education, the BVI Women’s team has been able to take part in this prestigious tournament.
4) Won-tika
Vantika’s game in round 7 was not for faint-hearted people, especially from the position. For those who didn’t follow it, I will summarise it in three lines. ‘She was in extreme time trouble. She played almost 20 moves in under 1 minute. She beat a grandmaster.’ Vantika scored a much-needed victory for the Indian Team. This gave a boost to the team in the tournament.
5) Amateurs with professional zeal
The Fiji team has been competing in the Olympiad for several years now. Although the country has mostly amateur players, their love for the game matches that of professional players. The team is enjoying the exposure they are getting at the Olympiad. They are eager to gain different learning experiences both on and off the board.
6) Some Fan-tastic moments
What’s a tournament without fans surrounding the players? With thousands of great chess players gathered in one venue, who would want to miss such an opportunity? Many fans might have gone to take autographs and pictures with their favorite players. Some might be dreaming of the day they will stand in the same place, not as spectators, but as competitors.
In this picture, we see three senior arbiters, Willy Ickiky, Mahdi Abulhassan and Anantharam Rathinam. IA Anantharam Rathinam is one of the most experienced and respected arbiters in India. While their primary role is to oversee the smooth running of the tournament, it’s clear that even they wouldn’t want to miss the chance to take autographs of great chess players around the world. It’s a rare moment where even those in charge of the event become fans themselves!
7) Red-y for clash
This was a red-hot spectacle! Both teams brought fire to the board. The results were the same as their outfits: 2-2.
8) Signature pose
Is this some kind of signature pose of chess players? We have seen some players take a sip of water or some players start walking after they are winning. But this is something different. The games of these four players ended in a draw. Is this the sign that the game will end in a draw? Have I just cracked the code?
9) Grandmasters of Play and Capture
You will see four legends in this frame. Two are responsible for playing exciting games and two are responsible for capturing those. Two are ready with their army of pieces, two are ready with their army of cameras. Two are great players, two are great capturers.
Bonus pictures
Stay tuned for more amazing photos from Day 8.
