Magnus Carlsen's Rainy Ride and Historic Upsets Mark Chess Olympiad

Top teams like the Netherlands and Germany suffered surprising defeats, making Round 3 the most tumultuous yet.

In a day brimming with excitement and surprises at the Chess Olympiad, World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen made headlines even before his first move. Scheduled to face Colombian Grandmaster Roberto Garcia Pantoja, Carlsen found himself racing against time—and the elements. Staying at a different hotel from his teammates, he was supposed to be picked up by the team transport. However, last-minute changes threw a wrench into his plans.

"It was a bit of a mess," Carlsen admitted after the game. "They suddenly told me that traffic was horrible and they would be at my hotel at five to three. At that point, I thought I couldn’t get there in time by car, so I decided biking might be faster."

Braving the rain, Carlsen hopped on a bicycle and pedaled furiously towards the venue. Upon arrival, confusion about the entrance led him through the media doors, adding to the chaos. Despite arriving ten minutes late and drenched, Carlsen remained unfazed over the board. Playing with the black pieces, he convincingly defeated Pantoja, contributing to his team's dominant 3.5-0.5 victory.

The Netherlands, seeded 5th and considered strong contenders, suffered a stunning 1-3 defeat against 23rd-seeded Italy. The Italian team delivered a remarkable performance:

• Lorenzo Lodici(2556) defeated Dutch starAnish Giri(2724).
• Francesco Sonis(2554) overcameMax Warmerdam(2679).
• Sabino Brunello(2511) secured a win againstErwin L'Ami(2628).

Only Jorden Van Foreest (2696) managed a victory over Luca Moroni (2558), but it wasn't enough to save the match for the Dutch.

Germany and England Stumble

Germany, the 7th seed, faced an unexpected setback, losing 1.5-2.5 to Lithuania (#23). In a dramatic twist, Alexander Donchenko (2638) blundered away a winning position against Valery Kazakouski (2577), tipping the scales in Lithuania's favor.

England, seeded 8th, was held to a draw by Denmark (#30). Iran (#10) also lost valuable match points by drawing with Georgia (#32). These results highlighted the fierce competition and unpredictability of this year's Olympiad.

India and China Maintain Strong Form

Amidst the chaos, some teams continued their impressive runs:

• Indiadefeated Hungary B by an overwhelming 3.5-0.5. Remarkably, the Indian team has conceded only half a point across all 12 games so far.
• Chinaconfidently secured a 3-1 victory over Slovenia, showcasing their strength and depth.

Underdogs Rise

Several lower-seeded teams made their presence felt:

• Ireland(#64) managed a draw againstIsrael(#20).
• Estonia(#60) split points withSerbia(#16).
• Mongolia(#63) drew with theCzech Republic(#19).
• Venezuela(#67) heldGreece(#23) to a tie.

These performances underscored the depth of talent and determination across all teams.

Later Rounds and Continued Drama

In subsequent rounds:

• Chinafaced a minor hiccup, losing its first individual points but ultimately defeating Chile. World ChampionDing Lirendrew on the top board againstCristobal Henriquez Villagra, highlighting the competitive spirit of lower-ranked teams.
• Uzbekistanconceded half a point to Egypt whenHamed Wafa(2368) impressively heldJavokhir Sindarov(2677) to a draw.
• TheNetherlands, aiming to bounce back from their earlier defeat, narrowly won against Belgium with a 2.5-1.5 score, ensuring they remained in contention.

Looking Ahead

The Chess Olympiad continues to captivate fans worldwide with its blend of high-level play, unexpected twists, and human stories like Carlsen's rainy ride. As the tournament progresses, the battle for the top spots remains wide open, promising more excitement and drama in the rounds to come.