Improving neighbors

Our neigbors from Vietnam have been doing well after two rounds of battle in the 2010 Chess Olympiad. After blanking Botswana in Round 1, the Vietnam team defeated powerhouse Azerbaijan in Round 2 (2.5:1.5) that put them in the pack of early leaders.

In Round 2, Team Azerbaihan fielded GM Mamedyarov Shakhriyar (2756), GM Radjabov Teimour (2748), GM Mamedov Rauf 2660, and GM Guseinov Gadir 2611. And the Vietnamese ably beat this strong team!!

Also, Team Indonesia held to a draw another powerhouse Team Israel in Round 2. Israel were manned by a powerful all-GM squad: GM Sutovsky Emil (2665), GM Smirin Ilia (2657), GM Rodshtein Maxim (2632), and GM Mikhalevski Victor (2610). On the other hand, the Indonesian Team had only one GM, two IMs and one IM. Look at the Elo ratings of the Indonesian players and then compare them to the ratings of Team Israel players: GM Megaranto Susanto (2516), IM Purnama Tirta Chandra (2400), FM Novita Anjas (2356), IM Irwanto Sadikin (2419). And the Indonesians were able to put up a draw!!

Perhaps, the respective national chess federation of these two neighbors of ours might have been doing something right.