Georgian women's and men's teams finished a 10-day meeting. They were preparing for Chess Olympiad 2010 on Bazaleti Lake.
Khanty Mansiysk (Russia) will host the mentioned Olympiad from September 19 till October 1.
It is a pity - Maia Chiburdanidze, World and Chess Olympiad champion, finished a team career.
Here is an interview with Nana Gurieli, current champion of Olympiad, captain of Georgian women's team and multiple winner of Chess Olympiad.
- Except of leaving of Maia Chiburdanidze, is there any other changes in the team?
- There is one change. Olympic champion Sopho Khukhashvili will replace Georgian vice-champion 2010 Nino Khurtsidze. Nana Dzagnidze, Lela Javakhishvili, Salome Melia and Bela Khotenashvili are other members of the team.
- What was the reason of substitution of Khurtsidze with Khukhashvili?
- Khurtsidze got married and she is pregnant now. She wanted to play in the team. She trained with the team but at the last moment, doctor did not let her travel. So, she refused to play in the team.
- When are you leaving for Olympiad?
- On September 19, at dawn, by Tbilisi-Munich-Khanty Mansiysk flight.
- Olympiad starts on September 19 and are not you afraid to be late?
- Olympiad opens on September 19 but matches will be held on September 20. If we are late, it will be the fault of Olympiad organizers (Russians). They planned time and flight of Olympiad participants.
- Did you have normal conditions while training on Bazaleti Lake?
- We had everything for preparation. There is everything on Bazaleti Lake to host any chess tournament.
- In Khanty Mansiyk we will play as current champions and everyone will try to gain success against us. Who is your main opponent?
- Russian first team will be our main opponent. Russians are the hosts and they have very strong chess players. They especially prepared for this Olympiad. Each member of the team had 2 coaches and they held several meetings. Also Ukraine and China will have good teams. In my opinion, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and China will fight for medals. I am going to win in Russia.
- After leaving of Chiburdanidze and refuse of Khurtsidze, how will places be shared on boards?
- I think, Dzagnidze who is a deserving substitute of Chiburdanidze will play on the first board. Javakhishvili will play on the second board and Khotenashvili will be a reserve player. I have not decided yet who will play on the third board - Melia or Khukhashvili. After landing in Khanty Mansiysk, I will talk to team coaches Zurab Sturua and Davit Arutinyan and after this I will make a decision.


Roland Labuchidze