Strongest-Ever Chess Teams from US for Chess Olympiad 2012

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

Two strong teams are set to represent the United States at the 40th Olympiad in Istanbul from August 27th to September 10th, according to the US Chess Federation. The overall team is led by reigning US Chess Champion and World #5 Hikaru Nakamura. The team also includes GMs Gata Kamsky, Alexander Onischuk, Varuzhan Akobian and Ray Robson. GMs Yury Shulman and Ben Finegold will coach the team. Captain IM John Donaldson said, “The 2012 Olympiad will be super strong but our team, the first ever from the United States to average over 2700 FIDE, will have its chances if we play to the best of our ability.”

The women’s team includes reigning US Women’s Champ Irina Krush, Anna Zatonskih, Sabina Foisor, Tatev Abrahamyan and Rusudan (Rusa) Goletiani. FIDE Senior trainer Michael Khodarkovsky will be the captain and GM Melikset Khachiyan will coach. Khodarkovsky said, “I feel very good about the team, we all worked together before and I believe we have established a strong bond. Teams like China, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, India among favorites, but we will do our best to join them in the quest for medals.”

USCF Executive director Bill Hall said, “With the Olympics going on in London, this is a thrilling time to see our top players represent our country and root them on on their quest for medals. ”

"Our formidable teams are made possible by our sponsors, the Kasparov Chess Foundation, the US Chess Federation and the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis."

Chess Life Online (CLO) editor Jennifer Shahade (former double US Chess Champion, writer, chess promoter, and more) says, "Look for CLO coverage throughout the Olympiad from award-winning journalist FM Mike Klein." 

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