The Maltese national team taking part in the Turin Chess Olympiad, is occupying 100th place out of 150 countries taking part in this biggest ever Olympiad. The team has 12.5 points out of a possible 28, after the opening seven rounds. In the next round Malta plays the Dominican Republic.

The Maltese team is composed of T. Sorensen, C. Pace, A. Borg, H. Cassar, J. Gauci and D. Cilia Vincenti.

Results so far: v. Argentina 0-3; v. Venezuela 1.5-2.5; v. S. Africa 2-2; v. Italy B 0-4; v. Honduras 3-1; v. San Marino 2.5-1.5; v. Panama 2.5-1.5.

In the female section the Maltese girls had these results: v. Kyrgyzstan 0.5-1.5; v. Portugal 0-3; v. Algeria 1.5-1.5; v. Costa Rica 2-1; v. Japan 1.5-1.5; v. Puerto Rico 1.5-1.5 and v. Jamaica 0-3. The net points achieved so far is therefore seven and this places the team in the 91st place out of 108. In the next round Malta plays the African side of Angola.

At the top of the men’s standings, one finds the team from Armenia on 21 points followed closely by Russia and Cuba, while in the female teams’ section the top place is held by Russia followed by Ukraine and the USA.

Of special interest during this Olympiad is the election for the FIDE top places that will take place this week where Fide Master Geoffrey D.Borg, President of the Malta Chess Federation, is an integral part of the so-called ‘Right-Move’ ticket, led by Belgian Bessel Kok, who are challenging the present FIDE administration.