45th Chess Olympiad Day 4: Photos that tell the tale
Things are getting serious in the Olympiad now! After four rounds, every move counts, and every move builds tension. There is no room for blunders. The players know that even the slightest mistake could change everything. You might expect to see players in full 'serious' mode, with stress clearly visible on their faces. But surprisingly, you will see the exact opposite of this! We will show you some snapshots in which you will see your favorite players in fun mode. Read the article to catch a glimpse of the lighter side of the competition.
1) Pre-game ritual
When Anish Giri is involved, things have to be chill! You will always see the Dutch team having a casual conversation before every game. You would rarely see them sit in silence before the match. Whether it’s a light-hearted discussion or simply banter, the team prefers to keep things relaxed. Anish leads the team both on the board and in the off-the-board banter. After looking at the picture, it doesn’t seem like they are discussing anything related to chess. I think they were probably trying to settle the age-old debate: is pineapple on pizza acceptable or not? Max might be passionately explaining why he loves it, while the rest are silently judging his taste.
2) Pre-game touch-up
Look at this playful side of the pre-game routine! Aida is making sure that Eleni is ready to ‘face’ her opponent. This highlights how even the most intense competitors can have a bit of fun before their games. Maybe it’s a part of their strategy...
3) Another 'Pookie' duo
Another relaxed moment before the intense match. Iranian FM Setayesh Karini (Left) and IM Parva Behzad Nazif (Right) were caught sharing a laugh. This picture will remind you of your school days when you and a friend chuckled over a joke while your teacher was busy with the lesson. It’s a nostalgic glimpse of how these elite players keep the mood light amidst the serious competition at the Olympiad!
4) Lights... camera... action!
Look at these players who are clearly working on their posing game! It looks like they are ready for a magazine cover, and not just a tournament round. They have clearly got the same confidence both on and off the board. It’s like a red-carpet moment at the Olympiad, where these players are proving that chess and style can go hand in hand.
5) Little Prodigy on Big Stage
Arianna Balcombe is the youngest participant in the 45th Chess Olympiad. This eight-year-old girl is an unrated player but her participation in the Olympiad is a significant boost for her career. Being a part of this prestigious tournament at such a young age shows her dedication and potential. This is just the beginning of her journey. She is capable of achieving even greater things in the future.
6) 'Sky'e is the limit!
Another eight-year-old prodigy, Skye Attieh is an upcoming talent from Lebanon. She has shown an outstanding performance within a short span. However, her father is currently raising funds to support her journey. They asked for 10000$ which will cover her expenses like coaching and traveling for important tournaments. We hope that this young talent receives all the help she needs to achieve her dreams.
Skye’s achievements:
1) 12th place at the World Cadets Chess Championship in 2023
2)7th place at the Asian Youth Chess Championship in 2023
7) Age is just a number!
Pia Cramling is a 61-year-old Swedish Grandmaster and one of the strongest female players in the world. She is leading the Swedish team at the 45th Chess Olympiad, alongside her daughter, Anna Cramling, who is also a part of the team. She was the 5th woman to become a grandmaster.
Her achievements:
1) Highest rated female player in 1983 and 1984
2) Winner of the Women’s European Individual Chess Championship in 2003 and 2010
3)Winner of Accentus Ladies Tournament in Biel in 2006
4)Gold medal at the Olympiad in 1984, 1988 and 2022.
5)Team gold medal in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2016 in the European Club Cup for Women
8) Divya-Drishti
Divya Deshmukh had a rollercoaster game in Round 4. How satisfying it must be to win a complex match! The pride on Abhijeet Kunte’s face, as the captain of the strongest female team at the Olympiad, reflects the hard work and dedication behind their performance. His expression says it all: nothing like watching your team conquer a tough game.
9)90s Chess Icons
We can see two legends in this frame- Alexander Beliavsky and Vasyl Ivanchuk. Beliavsky is the captain of the Ukrainian Men’s Team. During his illustrious career, Beliavsky won the World Junior Championship, the USSR Championship four times, and a gold medal in the Olympiad in 1984. On the other hand, Ivanchuk has been World No. 2 three times. He has won several tournaments like Wijk aan Zee, Tal Memorial, Gibraltar Masters, M-Tel Masters titles, the World Blitz Championship in 2007, and the World Rapid Championship in 2016. It will be fascinating to see how the Ukrainian team performs at the Olympiad under the guidance of such a distinguished captain.
10) The Elite Laughter
The Chinese Players generally don’t show emotions, but in this picture, we can see Yu Yangyi and Wei Yi laughing together. These two are very serious during their matches, but here they are sharing a genuine laugh. It’s always refreshing to see the elite players having a relaxed moment.
11) Us... bro... us
This has to be the picture of the day! A potential meme-worthy picture featuring Richard Rapport. What could he be thinking before the round? Maybe he is wondering if he left the fan on… maybe about the email he forgot to send… maybe about the stock market… maybe about the reel he wanted to save but accidentally refreshed… it could be anything. While he was lost in these thoughts, he managed to win the game in the end!
Stay Tuned!
Stay tuned to find such exciting pictures of Day 5.
