Ukraine are now close to securing a second Olympiad gold medal at the biennial team contest in Khanty-Mansisyk. Led by their talisman top-board scorer Vassily Ivanchuk, Ukraine go into Sunday's final round as the sole leaders at the top after inflicting a crushing, 3.5-0.5 penultimate round victory over underdogs France. Russia I also moved into the silver medal spot with a crushing win over China, while Israel moved into contention for bronze by beating USA.

The top three medal positions at the end of round ten is: Ukraine, 18 points; Russia I, 17 points; and Israel, 16 points.

Ukraine last won Olympiad gold in 2004 in Calvia, Spain after they unexpectedly beat the Russians to the title - and to claim a second gold and lift the Hamilton-Russell Cup, all they need do is hold their nerve to beat Israel in Sunday's final round. Tie and Russia I win, then its all open to the multi-vagaries of the tiebreaks. If Israel and Russia I both win then Russia will get gold, Israel silver, and Ukraine the bronze.

No such tiebreak issues or final round nerves though in the Women's Olympiad, as the relentless Russia I juggernaut of the Kosintseva sisters Tatiana and Nadezhda, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Alisa Gallimova and Valentina Guina clinched gold with a round to spare after turning in a perfect score of 20 points. The only battle of the final round will be who gets silver and bronze. If China wins, they get silver. If Russia II, Ukraine, Poland, or Georgia win, then tiebreaks come into play there also.

Join ICC for the final countdown on Sunday, 3 October at the early start time of 1 AM ET / 10 PM Pacific daylight - 7AM CET / 11AM Local), with Chess.FM bringing you all the best in the medal action with live commentary from GMs Ronen Har-Zvi and Alex Yermolinsky. Also don't miss out below on Chess.FMs extend Olympiad GOTD service - for non-members of ICC there's a 5 minute free preview, and to view in full (and join our last round live commentary coverage) click here to join ICC.

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