Armenia draw with the Netherlands as women’s team beat USA at Chess Olympiad

In round eight of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Armenia’s open team drew 2–2 with the Netherlands. The women’s team defeated the USA 2½–1½. In each match, a single Armenian victory determined the team result.

Netherlands 2–2 Armenia

Shant Sargsyan beat Loek van Wely with the black pieces. Robert Hovhannisyan lost to Jorden van Foreest, while Hayk Martirosyan and Manuel Petrosyan drew their games.

Individual results (ratings in parentheses):

• Anish Giri (2757) — Hayk Martirosyan (2664): ½–½
• Jorden van Foreest (2706) — Robert Hovhannisyan (2642): 1–0
• Loek van Wely (2643) — Shant Sargsyan (2630): 0–1
• Erwin L’Ami (2595) — Manuel Petrosyan (2569): ½–½

Armenia’s open team remains unbeaten after eight rounds, with five wins, three draws and 13 match points out of a possible 16.

Armenia 2½–1½ USA

Elina Danielian secured the women’s team victory by beating Irina Krush. Lilit Mkrtchian, Mariam Mkrtchyan and Susanna Gaboyan drew their games.

Individual results (ratings in parentheses):

• Lilit Mkrtchian (2353) — Carissa Yip (2468): ½–½
• Mariam Mkrtchyan (2374) — Alice Lee (2453): ½–½
• Elina Danielian (2382) — Irina Krush (2393): 1–0
• Susanna Gaboyan (2179) — Tatev Abrahamyan (2347): ½–½

Armenia’s women have won seven of their eight matches and collected 14 match points out of a possible 16, keeping them in contention for medals.