20th Chess Olympiad

The 20th Chess Olympiad (Macedonian: 20. Шаховска олимпијада, 20. Šahovska olimpijada), organized by FIDE and comprising an open[1] team tournament, as well as several other events designed to promote the game of chess, took place between September 18 and October 13, 1972, in Skopje, Yugoslavia (present-day Macedonia).
Summary
    
For the first time, the Soviet team only comprised 5 GMs and one IM (Savon). Since Bobby Fischer had beaten Spassky earlier in the year, the team wasn't led by the current world champion – also a first. It did, however, feature three previous (Smyslov, Tal, and Petrosian) as well as one future champion (Karpov). The team still lived up to expectations, though, and won their eleventh consecutive gold medal, with Hungary and Yugoslavia taking the silver and bronze, respectively.
Before the Soviet team could achieve a victory, there was some controversy. In the 4th round of Final Group A, the Soviets played a match against the team from Bulgaria. A game between Victor Korchnoi and Georgi Tringov was adjourned after 41 moves with Tringov to seal his next move. At this Olympiad, sealed moves were written on a separate piece of paper, not the player's score sheet. Tringov rejected this way of sealing his move and instead wrote it on his score sheet. When the game was resumed, the arbiter opened the envelope. In the envelope was Korchnoi's score sheet but not the one belonging to Tringov. The arbiter ruled the game a forfeit win for Korchnoi. The Bulgarian team captain instituted protest proceedings but an arbitration committee upheld the arbiter's ruling. After the Olympiad was over, it was learned that Tringov had absentmindedly placed his score sheet in his pocket. Tringov discovered his mistake several days after his forfeit but was too ashamed to admit his mistake to the organizers of the Olympiad.[2]
In Final B, the Albanian team refused to play Israel and withdrew after round 11. Their matches were regarded as "friendlies" and didn't count in the overall standings.
Jens Enevoldsen represented Denmark at his 11th and final Olympiad, 39 years after his first appearance at Folkestone 1933. Both records at the time (although both have since been beaten by Lajos Portisch).
The 5th Women's Chess Olympiad also took place; this was the first time that it took place at the same time and in the same venue as the open event. It was won by the Soviet Union team.
Open event
     
    Preliminaries
    
A total of 63 teams were divided into eight preliminary groups of seven or eight teams each, from which the top two advanced to Final A, no. 3-4 to Final B etc. Unlike the last few tournaments, preliminary head-to-head results were not carried over to the finals, so each teams met one other team twice. All preliminary groups and finals were played as round-robin tournaments. The results were as follows:
- Group 1:
 
| # | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 3½ | 4 | 2½ | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 22 | ||
| A | ½ | - | 3 | 2 | 2½ | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | ||
| B | 0 | 1 | - | 3 | 3 | 3½ | 3½ | 4 | 2 | 0 | 14 | ||
| B | 1½ | 2 | 1 | - | 2½ | 2½ | 3½ | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | ||
| C | 0 | 1½ | 1 | 1½ | - | 4 | 3½ | 2 | 4 | 0 | 11½ | ||
| C | 0 | 1 | ½ | 1½ | 0 | - | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | 1 | - | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2½ | 
- Group 2:
 
| # | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 2 | 3½ | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 22½ | ||
| A | 2 | - | 2 | 1½ | 2½ | 3½ | 3½ | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 19 | ||
| B | ½ | 2 | - | 2 | 2½ | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 19 | ||
| B | 1 | 2½ | 2 | - | 3 | 2½ | 3½ | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 18½ | ||
| C | 1 | 1½ | 1½ | 1 | - | 3½ | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 15½ | ||
| C | 0 | ½ | 0 | 1½ | ½ | - | 2½ | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 8 | ||
| D | 1 | ½ | 0 | ½ | 0 | 1½ | - | 1½ | 0 | 7 | 0 | 5 | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2½ | - | 1 | 6 | 0 | 4½ | 
- Group 3:
 
| # | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 2 | 3 | 3½ | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 23½ | ||
| A | 2 | - | 2½ | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3½ | 6 | 0 | 1 | 22 | ||
| B | 1 | 1½ | - | 3½ | 3 | 3½ | 3½ | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 20 | ||
| B | ½ | 1 | ½ | - | 3½ | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 15½ | ||
| C | 1 | 0 | 1 | ½ | - | 3½ | 2½ | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 11½ | ||
| C | 0 | 1 | ½ | 1 | ½ | - | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 8 | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | ½ | 0 | 1½ | 2 | - | 2½ | 1 | 5 | 1 | 6½ | ||
| D | 0 | ½ | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1½ | - | 0 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 
- Group 4:
 
| # | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 4 | 3½ | 4 | 3 | 3½ | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 25 | ||
| A | 0 | - | 3 | 2½ | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 18½ | ||
| B | ½ | 1 | - | 2½ | 3½ | 3 | 3½ | 3½ | 5 | 2 | 0 | 17½ | ||
| B | 0 | 1½ | 1½ | - | 3 | 1½ | 2½ | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 14 | ||
| C | 1 | 2 | ½ | 1 | - | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 13½ | ||
| C | ½ | 0 | 1 | 2½ | 2 | - | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 11 | ||
| D | 1 | 1 | ½ | 1½ | 1 | 2 | - | 3½ | 1 | 5 | 1 | 10½ | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | ½ | 0 | 0 | 1 | ½ | - | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 
- Group 5:
 
| # | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 3 | 3½ | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 23½ | ||
| A | 1 | - | 2½ | 2½ | 4 | 1½ | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 19½ | ||
| B | ½ | 1½ | - | 2 | 3½ | 2½ | 4 | 3½ | 4 | 2 | 1 | 17½ | ||
| B | 1 | 1½ | 2 | - | 2 | 3 | 3½ | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 17 | ||
| C | 2 | 0 | ½ | 2 | - | 2½ | 3½ | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 13½ | ||
| C | 0 | 2½ | 1½ | 1 | 1½ | - | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 12½ | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | 0 | ½ | ½ | 1 | - | 3½ | 1 | 6 | 0 | 5½ | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | ½ | 0 | 1 | 1 | ½ | - | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 
- Group 6:
 
| # | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 3 | 2½ | 3 | 3½ | 3½ | 4 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 23½ | ||
| A | 1 | - | 2½ | 2 | 3½ | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 20 | ||
| B | 1½ | 1½ | - | 2½ | 3½ | 2½ | 2½ | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 18 | ||
| B | 1 | 2 | 1½ | - | 2½ | 2½ | 4 | 3½ | 4 | 2 | 1 | 17 | ||
| C | ½ | ½ | ½ | 1½ | - | 2½ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 11½ | ||
| C | ½ | 0 | 1½ | 1½ | 1½ | - | 1½ | 3½ | 1 | 6 | 0 | 10 | ||
| D | 0 | 1 | 1½ | 0 | 1 | 2½ | - | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 9 | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | 0 | ½ | 1 | ½ | 1 | - | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 
- Group 7:
 
| # | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 1½ | 3 | 2 | 2½ | 3½ | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 20½ | ||
| A | 2½ | - | 2 | 2½ | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 20 | ||
| B | 1 | 2 | - | 2½ | 3½ | 3½ | 4 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 18 | ||
| B | 2 | 1½ | 1½ | - | 2 | 3½ | 2½ | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 16 | ||
| C | 1½ | 1 | ½ | 2 | - | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 16 | ||
| C | ½ | 2 | ½ | ½ | 0 | - | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 10½ | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1½ | 1 | 0 | - | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 5½ | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | 0 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 
- Group 8:
 
| # | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3½ | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 21½ | ||
| A | 2 | - | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3½ | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 20½ | ||
| B | 2 | 2 | - | 2 | 3½ | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 19½ | ||
| B | 1 | 2 | 2 | - | 3½ | 2 | 2½ | 3½ | 3 | 1 | 3 | 16½ | ||
| C | ½ | 1 | ½ | ½ | - | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 13½ | ||
| C | 1 | ½ | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | 4 | 3½ | 2 | 3 | 2 | 13 | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1½ | 1 | 0 | - | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6½ | ||
| D | 0 | 0 | 0 | ½ | 0 | ½ | 0 | - | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 
Finals
    
Final C # Country Players Average 
ratingPoints MP Head- 
to-head32 
 AustraliaBrowne, Fuller, Hay, Flatow, Hamilton, Shaw 2370 45 33 
 FinlandWesterinen, Ojanen, Saren, Sorri, Rantanen, Kanko 2288 42½ 34 
 ScotlandLevy, Pritchett, Bonner, Jamieson, Denman, Aitken 2273 39 35 
 IranHarandi, Shirazi, Shahsavar, Sharif, Sawadkuhi, Saloor 2250 37½ 36 
 BrazilGerman, Trois, Nóbrega, Toth, van Riemsdijk, dos Santos 2236 25½ 37 
 PortugalRibeiro, Durão, Silva, Santos, Cardoso, Figueiredo 2285 32½ 38 
 TurkeySüer, Külür, Onat, Erözbek, Uzman, Bilyap 2261 31 39 
 IrelandMoles, MacGrillen, Littleton, Cassidy, Coldrick, Keeshan M. 2200 28½ 15 40 
 Puerto RicoKaplan, Martínez Buitrago, Berríos Pagán, Benítez, Sacarello, Colón Romero M. 2280 28½ 12 41 
 MexicoCampos López, Frey, Escondrillas, De la Cruz, Padilla, Barrientos 2213 26½ 12 3 42 
 TunisiaBelkadi, Kchouk, Drira, Teboudi K., Najar C., Lagha 2225 26½ 12 1 43 
 WalesWilliams, Hutchings, Gavrilovic, Jones, Haigh, James 2248 26½ 10 44 
 New ZealandSarapu, Sutton, Stuart, Carpinter, Van Dijk, Kerr 2235 25 45 
 Dominican RepublicBelliard Alonzo, Delgado, Gonzáles, Peña, Malagón, Álvarez 2200 21½ 46 
 BoliviaMartínez Vaca, Chávez Chávez, Alvarez U., Carvajal, Mendivil 2200 19 47 
 JapanMiyasaki, Matsumoto, Gonda, Takahashi, Otami K., Nakamori 2220 15½ 
Final D # Country Players Rating Points MP 48 
 FranceRossolimo, Todorcevic, Letzelter, Huguet, Raizman, Haïk 2276 46½ 49 
 SingaporeTan Lian Ann, Lim Kok Ann, Giam Choo Kwee, Choong Liong On, Ee, Pang Kwok Leong 2263 42½ 50 
 MaltaCamilleri, Gouder, Attard, Saliba, Cilia Vincenti, Casha 2213 32½ 51 
 Hong KongKrstic, Hasan, Kwan Nam Seng, Hobson, Kong V., Krouk 2200 30½ 52 
 LebanonSursock, Loheac-Ammoun, Maalouf, Bedrossian, Galeb 2200 30 53 
 LuxembourgPhilippe, Weber, Stull, Schammo, Simon, Kirsch 2214 29½ 54 
 Faroe IslandsPetersen, Joensen, Midjord, Mikkelsen, Thomsen, Olsen 2200 29 55 
 SyriaShorbagay, Catalan, Nashed, Asfary, Sayed M., Tabba 2200 28 56 
 CyprusKleopas, Constantinou, Avgousti, Martidis, Vassiades, Hadjittofis 2200 27½ 57 
 MoroccoBelarbi, Kaderi, Abbou, Chami, Sbia, Abdelmalek 2205 26 58 
 AndorraBallague, Calderon D., De la Casa, Gómez Abad, Pantebre Martínez, Iglesias 2200 24 59 
 MalaysiaFoo Lum Choon, Chan Mun Fye, Kao Yin Keat, Fang Ewe Churh, Loh Chee Hoong, Ariff A. 2200 23½ 60 
 GuernseyPalmer, Marquand, Bisson, Moriarty, Wallbridge, Gavey 2200 20½ 9 61 
 IraqTaha, Al-Hamani, Al-Jassani, Ahmed K., Al-Mawla, Salim 2200 20½ 5 62 
 United States Virgin IslandsAbraham, Grumer E., Potter H., Edwards, Grumer S. 2200 10½ 
Final A
    
Place Country 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 + - = Points 1 
 Soviet Union- 1½ 2½ 2 2½ 2½ 3 2½ 3 3½ 3½ 3 3½ 2 3 4 12 1 2 42 2 
 Hungary2½ - 2½ 2½ 2 2½ 2½ 2½ 2½ 3½ 3½ 3 2 4 1½ 3½ 12 1 2 40½ 3 
 Yugoslavia1½ 1½ - 1½ 2 2 2 3 3 2½ 3 3 3½ 3 2½ 4 9 3 3 38 4 
 Czechoslovakia2 1½ 2½ - 1½ 2½ 2½ 2½ 2 1½ 1½ 2½ 3½ 2½ 4 3 9 4 2 35½ 5 
 West Germany1½ 2 2 2½ - 2½ 2½ 2½ 2½ 2½ 2½ 2 2 3 2 3 9 1 5 35 6 
 Bulgaria1½ 1½ 2 1½ 1½ - 2½ 3 2½ 2½ 2 2½ 2½ 2 2½ 2 7 4 4 32 7 
 Romania1 1½ 2 1½ 1½ 1½ - 2 2 3 2½ 2½ 2½ 3½ 2 2½ 6 5 4 31½ 8 
 Netherlands1½ 1½ 1 1½ 1½ 1 2 - 2½ 3 3 2 2½ 1½ 2 2½ 5 7 3 29 9 
 United States1 1½ 1 2 1½ 1½ 2 1½ - 2½ 3 3 1½ 2½ 2½ 2 5 7 3 29 10 
 East Germany½ ½ 1½ 2½ 1½ 1½ 1 1 1½ - 2½ 2 2 3 4 2½ 5 8 2 27½ 11 
 Spain½ ½ 1 2½ 1½ 2 1½ 1 1 1½ - 2 3½ 3 1½ 3 4 9 2 26 12 
 Poland1 1 1 1½ 2 1½ 1½ 2 1 2 2 - 2 2 2 2 0 7 8 24½ 13 
 Denmark½ 2 ½ ½ 2 1½ 1½ 1½ 2½ 2 ½ 2 - 2 2½ 1½ 2 8 5 23 14 
 Argentina2 0 1 1½ 1 2 ½ 2½ 1½ 1 1 2 2 - 2½ 2 2 8 5 22½ 15 
 Sweden1 2½ 1½ 0 2 1½ 2 2 1½ 0 2½ 2 1½ 1½ - 1 2 9 4 22½ 16 
  Switzerland0 ½ 0 1 1 2 1½ 1½ 2 1½ 1 2 2½ 2 3 - 2 9 4 21½ 
Final B
    
Place Country 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 - + - = Points 17 
 England- 2½ 2 2½ 3 2 2½ 3½ 2½ 3½ 3 3 3 1½ 2½ 2½ 11 1 2 37 18 
 Israel1½ - 3 1½ 3½ 2 2½ 3 2 3½ 2½ 3 3½ 3 2 4 9 2 3 36½ 19 
 Canada2 1 - 1 2½ 2½ 2 2½ 2 3 3 2½ 2½ 4 2½ 1½ 9 2 3 33 20 
 Philippines1½ 2½ 3 - 1½ 2½ ½ 2 3½ 2½ 1 2 3 2½ 3½ 8 4 2 31½ 21 
 Norway1 ½ 1½ 2½ - 1 1½ 3 3 2 2 3½ 3 3 32 1 7 5 2 30½ 22 
 Cuba2 2 1½ 1½ 3 - 3 1½ 2½ 2 2½ 2 2 2 2½ 2½ 5 3 6 30 23 
 Austria1½ 1½ 2 3½ 2½ 1 - 2 2½ 2½ 1½ 1 3½ 2 3 3 6 5 3 30 24 
 Iceland½ 1 1½ 2 1 2½ 2 - 2 3 2½ 2½ 2 2½ 4 3½ 6 4 4 29 25 
 Colombia1½ 2 2 ½ 1 1½ 1½ 2 - 2 3 2 2½ 2½ 3 2½ 4 5 5 27 26 
 Indonesia½ ½ 1 1½ 2 2 1½ 1 2 - 3½ 1½ 3 4 1½ 2 3 8 3 25½ 27 
 Italy1 1½ 1 3 2 1½ 2½ 1½ 1 ½ - 1 2½ 2 4 1½ 4 8 2 25 28 
 Mongolia1 1 1½ 2 ½ 2 3 1½ 2 2½ 3 - 1 2½ 1 4 7 3 24½ 29 
 Greece1 ½ 1½ 1 1 2 ½ 2 1½ 1 1½ 3 - 2½ 2 2 9 3 21 30 
 Belgium2½ 1 0 1½ 1 2 2 1½ 1½ 0 2 1½ 1½ - 2½ 1 2 9 3 20½ 31 
 Peru1½ 2 1½ ½ 1 1½ 1 0 1 2½ 0 3 2 1½ - 2 10 2 19 - 
 Albania1½ 0 2½ 3 1½ 1 ½ 1½ 2 2½ 3 - - - - - 
- Team Albania refused to play Israel and withdrew after round 11. Their scores were set as friendlies.
 
Final C
    
Place Country 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 + - = Points 32 
 Australia- 3 2 3 2 3½ 3½ 3 3 4 3 2½ 3 3 2½ 4 13 0 2 45 33 
 Finland1 - 3 2 2 3½ 2½ 3 2 3½ 2½ 3½ 2½ 3 4 4 11 1 3 42 34 
 Scotland2 1 - 2 2½ 2½ 2½ 1½ 3 2½ 2 2½ 3½ 3½ 4 4 10 2 3 39 35 
 Iran1 2 2 - 3½ 3 1 1½ 2½ 3 3 3 3 3½ 3 2½ 10 3 2 37½ 36 
 Brazil2 2 1½ ½ - 1½ 2 2½ 3 2½ 2 2 3½ 3 4 3½ 7 3 5 35½ 37 
 Portugal½ ½ 1½ 1 2½ - 1½ 3½ 2 2½ 2 2½ 2 4 3 3½ 7 5 3 32½ 38 
 Turkey½ 1½ 1½ 3 2 2½ - 1½ 3½ 4 1 2 1½ 2 2 2½ 5 6 4 31 39 
 Ireland1 1 2½ 2½ 1½ ½ 2½ - 2½ 1 2 2 2 1½ 3½ 2½ 6 6 3 28½ 40 
 Puerto Rico1 2 1 1½ 1 2 ½ 1½ - 2½ 4 2½ 2 3½ 2 1½ 4 7 4 28½ 41 
 Mexico0 ½ 1½ 1 1½ 1½ 0 3 1½ - 3 3 2 3 2 3 5 8 2 26½ 42 
 Tunisia1 1½ 2 1 2 2 3 2 0 1 - 2 1½ 2 2½ 3 3 6 6 26½ 43 
 Wales1½ ½ 1½ 1 2 1½ 2 2 1½ 1 2 - 2 2½ 2 3½ 2 7 6 26½ 44 
 New Zealand1 1½ ½ 1 ½ 2 2½ 2 2 2 2½ 2 - 1 2 2½ 3 6 6 25 45 
 Dominican Republic1 1 ½ ½ 1 0 2 2½ ½ 1 2 1½ 3 - 2½ 2½ 4 9 2 21½ 46 
 Bolivia1½ 0 0 1 0 1 2 ½ 2 2 1½ 2 2 1½ - 2 0 9 6 19 47 
 Japan0 0 0 1½ ½ ½ 1½ 1½ 2½ 1 1 ½ 1½ 1½ 2 - 1 13 1 15½ 
Final D
    
Place Country 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 + - = Points 48 
 France- 2 3 4 3 4 1½ 2½ 3½ 3 4 4 4 4 4 12 1 1 46½ 49 
 Singapore2 - 3½ 3 3½ 3 2½ 3½ 2½ 3 3½ 2½ 4 3 3 13 0 1 42½ 50 
 Malta1 ½ - 2½ 3 1 3½ 2½ 2 2½ 2½ 2 3½ 3 2½ 9 3 2 32 51 
 Hong Kong0 1 1½ - 1½ 2½ 3½ 1½ 2 2½ 3 3 3½ 2½ 2½ 8 5 1 30½ 52 
 Lebanon1 ½ 1 2½ - 2 2½ 2½ 2 2 2 3 2½ 3 3½ 7 3 4 30 53 
 Luxembourg0 1 3 1½ 2 - 2 3 2½ 3½ 2 3 ½ 2½ 3 7 4 3 29½ 54 
 Faroe Islands2½ 1½ ½ ½ 1½ 2 - 1½ 3½ 2½ 2½ 2½ 2 2½ 3½ 7 5 2 29 55 
 Syria1½ ½ 1½ 2½ 1½ 1 2½ - 2 1 1½ 2½ 3½ 3½ 3 6 7 1 28 56 
 Cyprus½ 1½ 2 2 2 1½ ½ 2½ - 2½ 2 2½ 3 2½ 3 5 4 5 27½ 57 
 Morocco1 1 1½ 1½ 2 ½ 1½ 3 1½ - 2½ 2½ 1½ 2 4 4 8 2 26 58 
 Andorra0 ½ 1½ 1 2 2 1½ 2½ 2 1½ - 2½ 1 2½ 3½ 4 7 3 24 59 
 Malaysia0 1½ 2 1 1 1 1½ 1½ 1½ 1½ 1½ - 2½ 2½ 4 3 10 1 23 60 
 Guernsey0 0 ½ ½ 1½ 3½ 2 ½ 1 2½ 3 1½ - 1½ 2½ 4 9 1 20½ 61 
 Iraq0 1 1 1½ 1 1½ 1½ ½ 1½ 2 1½ 1½ 2½ - 3½ 2 11 1 20½ 62 
 United States Virgin Islands0 1 1½ 1½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 0 ½ 0 1½ ½ - 0 14 0 10½ 
Individual medals
    
- Board 1: 
 Robert Hübner 15 / 18 = 83.3% - Board 2: 
 Viktor Korchnoi 11 / 15 = 73.3% - Board 3: 
 Ljubomir Ljubojević 15½ / 19 = 81.6% - Board 4: 
 Mikhail Tal 14 / 16 = 87.5% - 1st reserve: 
 Anatoly Karpov 13 / 15 = 86.7% - 2nd reserve: 
 Aldo Haïk 11 / 12 = 91.7% 
Best game
    
The Best Game prize went to Werner Hug (Switzerland) - Vlastimil Hort (Czechoslovakia) from Final A.
Women's event
    
Twenty-three nations took part in the women's Olympiad. From four preliminary groups the teams were split into three finals. The Soviet Union won.
Preliminaries
    
- Group 1:
 
| Final | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1½ | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7½ | ||
| A | 0 | - | 1½ | 1½ | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | ||
| B | 0 | ½ | - | 1½ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | ||
| B | 0 | ½ | ½ | - | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| C | ½ | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 4 | 0 | ½ | 
- Group 2:
 
| Final | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 1 | 1½ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8½ | ||
| A | 1 | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | ||
| B | ½ | 1 | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7½ | ||
| B | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 1½ | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3½ | ||
| C | 0 | 0 | 0 | ½ | - | 1½ | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | ||
| C | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ½ | - | 0 | 5 | 0 | ½ | 
- Group 3:
 
| Final | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1½ | 1½ | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | ||
| A | 1 | - | 1½ | 1½ | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | ||
| B | 0 | ½ | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4½ | ||
| B | 0 | ½ | 1 | - | 1½ | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| C | ½ | 0 | 1 | ½ | - | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | ||
| C | ½ | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2½ | 
- Group 4:
 
| Final | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | ||
| A | 1 | - | 1 | 2 | 1½ | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7½ | ||
| B | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | ||
| B | 0 | 0 | 1 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| C | 0 | ½ | 0 | 1 | - | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2½ | ||
| C | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | - | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 
Finals
    
Final A # Country Players Average 
ratingPoints MP 1 
 Soviet UnionNona Gaprindashvili, Alla Kushnir, Irina Levitina 2373 11½ 2 
 RomaniaElisabeta Polihroniade, Gertrude Baumstark, Alexandra Nicolau 2258 8 8 3 
 HungaryMária Ivánka, Zsuzsa Verőci, Gyuláné Krizsán-Bilek 2233 8 8 4 
 BulgariaTatjana Lematschko, Antonina Georgieva, Vesmina Shikova 2130 7½ 5 
 CzechoslovakiaStepanka Vokřálová, Květa Eretová, Eva Hojdarová 2168 7 6 
 West GermanyAnni Laakmann, Irmgard Kärner, Ursula Wasnetsky 1885 5½ 7 
 East GermanyWaltraud Nowarra, Gabriele Just, Christina Hölzlein 2148 4½ 8 
 EnglandJana Hartston, Elaine Pritchard, Anne Sunnucks 2005 4 
Final B # Country Players Average 
ratingPoints MP 9 
 PolandKrystyna Radzikowska, Hanna Ereńska-Radzewska, Mirosława Litmanowicz 2138 10½ 10 
 YugoslaviaMilunka Lazarević, Katarina Jovanović, Henrijeta Konarkowska-Sokolov 2273 8½ 11 
 AustriaIngeborg Kattinger, Alfreda Hausner, Wilma Samt 1800 7 7 12 
 NetherlandsHendrika Timmer, Ingrid Jansen, Ada van der Giessen 2035 7 7 13 
 SwedenSolveig Haraldsson, Ingrid Keményová-Svensson, Ulla Bohmgren 1848 6½ 14 
 BrazilRuth Cardoso, Regina Fontanelli, Ivone Moysés 1905 6 15 
 MongoliaGanginchugin Hulgana, Sandagdorj Handsuren, Biamba 1800 5½ 16 
 AustraliaNarelle Kellner, Marion McGrath, Lynda Maddern 1800 5 
Final C # Country Players Points MP 17 
  SwitzerlandAnna Näpfer, Elsa Lüssy, Fässler J. 9 18 
 IsraelFrida Rabinovich, Lidia Gal, Klugas S. 8½ 19 
 SingaporeMok Poh Pheng, Giam Yoke Chin, Jane Tan 6 20 
 IrelandDorren O'Siochrú, Aileen Noonan, O'Clery A. 5½ 5 21 
 FinlandSirkka-Liisa Vuorenpää, Johanna Tuomainen, Marjatta Palasto 5½ 4 22 
 ScotlandNancy Elder, Mary McGinn, Miriam Little 4½ 23 
 JapanMiyoko Watai, Otani K., Kyoto Watanabe 3 
Final A
    
| # | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | 2 | 1½ | 1½ | 1 | 2 | 1½ | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 11½ | ||
| 2 | 0 | - | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | ||
| 3 | ½ | 0 | - | 1 | 1½ | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 4 | ½ | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | ½ | 2 | 1½ | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7½ | ||
| 5 | 1 | 1 | ½ | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 1½ | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | ||
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1½ | 1 | - | ½ | 1½ | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5½ | ||
| 7 | ½ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1½ | - | ½ | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4½ | ||
| 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | 1½ | - | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 
Final B
    
| # | Country | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | - | 1½ | 1½ | 2 | 1 | 1½ | 1½ | 1½ | 6 | 0 | 1 | 10½ | ||
| 10 | ½ | - | 1 | ½ | 1½ | 2 | 1½ | 1½ | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8½ | ||
| 11 | ½ | 1 | - | 1½ | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | ||
| 12 | 0 | 1½ | ½ | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | ||
| 13 | 1 | ½ | 0 | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6½ | ||
| 14 | ½ | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | 1½ | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 15 | ½ | ½ | 2 | 0 | 1 | ½ | - | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5½ | ||
| 16 | ½ | ½ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 
Final C
    
| # | Country | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | + | − | = | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | - | 1 | 2 | 1½ | 2 | ½ | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | ||
| 18 | 1 | - | 1 | 1½ | 1½ | 1½ | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 8½ | ||
| 19 | 0 | 1 | - | 1 | 1½ | 1½ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 20 | ½ | ½ | 1 | - | 1½ | 1½ | ½ | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5½ | ||
| 21 | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5½ | ||
| 22 | 1½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | 0 | - | 1½ | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4½ | ||
| 23 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1½ | 0 | ½ | - | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 
Individual medals
    
- Board 1: 
 Nona Gaprindashvili  6½ / 8 = 81.3% - Board 2: 
 Alla Kushnir 7 / 8 = 87.5% - Reserve: 
 Henrijeta Konarkowska-Sokolov 6½ / 9 = 72.2% 
References
    
- Although commonly referred to as the men's division, this section is open to both male and female players.
 - Keene, Ray; Levy, David (1973). Chess Olympiad 1972. Doubleday & Company. pp. 68–69.
 - This was the first Olympiad after the ELO rating system was introduced, so many players on smaller teams were still unrated. For the purpose of calculating team averages, they were given provisional ratings of 2200, equivalent to that of a Candidate Master.
 
External links
    
- 20th Chess Olympiad: Skopje 1972 OlimpBase
 - 5th Women's Chess Olympiad: Skopje 1972 Olimpbase