2022 U.S. Olympiad Teams Revealed

Image

After postponements due to COVID, the 44th FIDE Olympiad takes place in Chennai, India from July 28 – August 10, 2022. The event, originally scheduled to take place in Russia, was relocated by FIDE following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Having earned the silver medal in 2018 after going gold in the Olympiad prior, the United States has assembled two teams of top talent, eager to leverage their massive skill to regain the top prize against more than 100 teams from around the world.

For the Open section team, IM John Donaldson reprises his role as captain with five of the strongest U.S. players:

GM Fabiano Caruana – 2783 (FIDE)

1st in the U.S. / 4th in the world

GM Levon Aronian – 2775

3rd in the U.S. / 5th in the world 

GM Wesley So – 2775

2nd in the U.S. / 6th in the world

GM Leinier Dominguez – 2754

5th in the U.S. / 12th in the world

GM Sam Shankland – 2718

6th in the U.S. / 25th in the world

Image

Image Caption

IM John Donaldson, Captain of the 2022 Olympiad Open Team. Photo: STLCC/Ootes

For the Women’s team, Armenian-American GM Melikset Khachiyan returns as captain, with GM Alejandro Ramirez serving as coach, to lead a roster of outstanding female competitors:

GM Irina Krush – 2430 (FIDE)

1st in the U.S. / 33rd in the world

IM Carissa Yip – 2418

2nd in the U.S. / 39th in the world

IM Anna Zatonskih – 2387

3rd in the U.S. / 61st in the world

WGM Tatev Abrahamyan – 2297

9th in the U.S.

WGM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova – 2332

6th in the U.S.

With an average FIDE rating of 2763, the Open team will be one of the favorites, with only host India and China able to approach such team strength. (The Russian team would be a serious competitor, but they have been suspended from international play by FIDE along with Belarus.)

The American women clock in at an average FIDE rating of 2373, which, if historical precedent holds, would put them within the top dozen teams in Chennai.

Opening ceremonies begin Thursday, July 28, with first moves being played on July 29 at 3 p.m. local time (5:30 a.m. Eastern).

US Chess gratefully acknowledges to the Saint Louis Chess Club and the Kasparov Chess Foundation for their generous, continued support of the United States Olympiad teams and their efforts.

Those wishing to contribute to the U.S. Olympiad teams may do so through our secure online donation form, and enter the amount in the box for “Olympiad Teams.”