Winter Butterfly  -  16d    8/11/02

Round 11

The Welsh team were a little unhappy at the 2½-1½ win over a weak Yemen side, who appeared to be playing their squad in reverse order. Leighton had a nice win with white in a Bc4 Najdorf. Richard Jones' opponent dropped a piece for nothing. Suan's opponent put up tough resistance to earn a draw. Francis was disappointed with his loss. Playing black, he secured what seemed like a big advantage. All of a sudden white's pieces sprang to life and black was on the ropes. A stunned Rayner sat in his seat for some time after the match in disbelief.

Today sees a critical game for Leighton in his race for the IM title, as the Welsh face Thailand.

R11 Wales  2½-1½ Yemen 6-11-02

1 FM Williams Leighton 2288 1-0  Saed Khaled 0

2  Jones Richard S 2246 1-0  Al Halila Aliabdo 0

3  Evans-Quek Suan-Shiau 2274 ½-½  Faraj Yahya Saleh 2222

4  Rayner Francis 2219 0-1  Alqudaimi B.A. 2267

The Ladies had an emphatic win over Albania. Annie played well despite being ill. Debbie had a decent win on 1. The most impressive game was from 15 year old Suzie Blackburn. She outplayed her opponent with a concerted attack on the white squares, pick up the exchange. She showed good technique in the ending giving her opponent little chance.

R11 Wales    2½-½   Albania 6-11-02

1  Evans-Quek Debbie 2047   1-0    Driza Arta 0

2  Powell Annie 2018   ½-½    Cima Rozana 2025

3  Blackburn Suzie 0   1-0    Pasku Roela 0

Standings after R11

 Men

1 Russia  W 9     D1     L1     Pts 32 

2 Hungary   9     1     1     30

3 Georgia   9     0     2     28  

4 England   6     3     2     27½ 

54 Ireland   5     2     4     23

68 Scotland   4     1     6     22

88 Wales   4     1     6     20½

Women

1 Georgia   8     1     2     24½  

2 China   9     0     2     24 

3 Russia   8     2     1     22½  

29 England   6     0     5     18 

61 Scotland   3     3     5     15

64 Wales   4     0     7     15 

74 Ireland   2     2     7     13½

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Dear Friends

Very short of time, so I am forwarding the good news from Mark without any real comment.  Just wondering what happens if Leighton draws this round?  Presumably if that turns out to be good enough he might be 'rested' for the last round.  Good luck to Leighton and all the other team members.  You've done us proud this Olympiad.

Dai.

----- Original Message -----

From: Mark Adams

To: david.james20

Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002 9:37 AM

Subject: Olympiad R12

 Round 12

Another win for Leighton and a step closer to the IM title. With 2 rounds to go, 1 point from 2 should do it. So a win in round 13 should secure the title. His performance rating is currently at 2468. He can get the title because of FIDE rule 1.28  “One 13-game IM result in the Olympiad will lead to the award of the full title. (GA '93) “

In round 13, the men are paired against Indonesia. They have a 2479 IM as board 1, but he’s only played against GM’s. This leaves Situru a 2377 IM as the probable opponent.

The Welsh are now only 1 point behind GM laden Scotland and a strong Irish team. A great performance.

R12 Thailand ½-3½ Wales 7-11-02
1 FM Saeheng Boonsueb 2306 0-1 FM Williams Leighton 2288
2 Theerapabpaisit Wisuwat 2188 0-1 Dineley Richard 2284
3 Jiravorasuk Banjuab 2255 1/2 Jones Richard S 2246
4 Srivachirawat Kannapon 2158 0-1 Zeidler Sven P 2275

1 Russia   W10     D1     L1     Pts 34½  

2 Hungary   10     1     1     32½  

3 Armenia   6     3     3     30  

8 England   6     3     3     29  

57 Ireland   5     3     4     25  

58 Scotland   5     1     6     25  

70 Wales   5     1     6     24  

The ladies match saw another 2-1 for Wales against Italy (for those footballers amongst you). Debbie threw away yet another promising position. Annie just outplayed her opponent while Kathy used her KID to good effect. The ladies are currently lying in “silver medal” position in their group, ½ point behind Sri-Lanka. However, they are up against a strong Canadian team today looking for revenge after their 3-0 defeat by England yesterday.

Italy 1-2 Wales
1 Costantini Laura 2052 1-0 Evans-Quek Debbie 2047
2 Arnetta Maria Teresa 2050 0-1 Powell Annie 2018
3 Sirletti Sonia 0-1 Griffiths Katherine 2005

1 China   W9     D1     L2     Pts 25½  

2 Georgia   8     1     3     25½  

3 Russia   9     2     1     25  

18 England   7     0     5     21  

57 Scotland   4     3     5     17  

58 Wales   5     0     7     17  

79 Ireland   2     2     8     14  

Mark

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ROUND 13

Dear Friends

According to live games at Olympiad site Leighton's opponent has just resigned.  Can't be sure because results have been wrong before, but if it is confirmed he may well be an IM.

Hold your breath until Mark confirms the situation.

Dai James.

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----- Original Message -----

From: Julian Pardoe

To: david.james20

Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002 5:43 PM

Subject: Re: Winter Butterfly 16d Leighton Special

Dai 

according to http://www.bcmchess.co.uk/news/olymp2002.html the result is right 

Julian

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Dear Friends. 

The address given in Julian's email was John Saunder's site. John has been kind enough to send me the following: 

I only know what you know (from the official website), I don't have a 'hot line' to Slovenia. And now the web transmission seems to have become unstable. That said, Leighton's result is still posted as 1-0. What worries me slightly is that the position on the board is rather unconvincing. It's not clearly winning for White by any means.

I agree with John concerning the final position.  At club level it might well have been agreed drawn and even though I think white (Leighton) is much better it is still surprising that black resigned (if he did).  Of course, it might be a book position, or maybe the final position is wrong, or even worst maybe it was drawn.  Its a bit like the 1924/25 Ashes series, when the whole world stopped, waiting to hear the news of Tate's toe. 

I'm trying to get confirmation of the result and will pass it on as soon as its available. 

Dai

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Still no final confirmation, so keep the street parties on hold, but all the evidence points towards Leighton having won.   See the following >From John Saunders 

Dear Dai, 

The Rd 14 pairings are now on the official website. Wales (25) v ICSC (25) is the pairing. Note the Welsh score, which tallies with them having scored 1 game point today. That further corroborates Leighton's score, doesn't it? 

Regards 

JS 

Unfortunately all the other members of the men's team are shown as having lost.  So if we got a point it must have come from Leighton.  By my reckoning he is now an IM.  But the rules are complex, so we'll have to wait for Mark's report. 

Several of you have asked for the final position.  Per the website it was as follows

White (Leighton) Pawns h2,g3,f2,a6.  King e3 and Rook c2.

Black Pawns e6,f5,g5,h6. King c4 and Rook d5.

Black (in check) is to move.

Dai