Chess Olympiad in Chennai: The USA is favourite, China and Russia do not take part

From 28 July to 10 August the Chess Olympiad will be played in Chennai, India. 188 teams start in the Open, 162 in the Women’s Olympiad, that’s a new record of participants. However, two of the strongest federations will not come to Chennai. The Russian federation was excluded because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Chinese federation decided not to participate, as protection against the pandemic. Thus, the USA is clear favourite in the Open while India is favourite to win the Women’s Olympiad. | Photo: FIDE