At the stiff 2015 European Team Chess Championships which was held in Reykjavik this month, Russia triumphed with double gold medals in the men’s and women’s categories.
It was an eloquent statement for the condition of Russian chess which some believed had been compromised. Russia has been without a world chess champion for the past fifteen years. Realistically, talent has never been in short supply for the Russians as evidenced by the fact the nation did not bring out its absolute strongest guns; but still managed double gold at the fierce championships. Peter Svidler, not without titles and accolades, played board one for Russia, and Alexandra Kosteniuk, former world champion, did the same in the women’s category.
Going into the final round of the men’s competition, Hungary had an opportunity to snatch gold away from Russia. But it was not to be; Russia serenely drew the match 2-2 thereby ensuring the gold medal. Hungary was captained by the world-famous Judit Polgar, who did not play. The team’s brightest star was Richard Rapport who gave a 2828 performance rating. Hungary won the bronze medal. The silver went to Armenia with the
