By Nick Butler

Russia finished top of the overall medals table as the World Mind Games concluded today ©SportAccordRussia finished on top of the medals table as the SportAccord World Mind Games drew to a close in Beijing today, despite a final day medal assault from the host nation.


China won three titles across the sports of chess, Go and xiangqi in the Beijing International Convention Centre to put them on six golds overall, the same number as Russia, only for the latter to edge ahead in the battle of the superpowers courtesy of having two more silver medals.

Victory for Grandmaster Ian Nepomnianchtchi in the men's chess basque competition proved decisive as the 24-year-old prodigy made amends for disappointment in the blitz competition earlier in the week, where he failed to win a medal.

But his class told in the longer format as he finished ahead of Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan and Maxime Vachier-Legrave of France.

"I feel much better now that I've won a medal, I couldn't show my best in the beginning and this was frustrating," said the Moscow-based player afterwards.

Ian Nepomniachtchi took gold for Russia in chess on the final day of action ©SportAccordIan Nepomniachtchi took gold for Russia in chess on the final day of action ©SportAccord



There was a third medal, and a second gold, of the week for Chinese star Hou Yifan, meanwhile, as she won the corresponding women's event, after getting the better of Russian rival Alexandra Kosteniuk.

Two more double champions were crowned in bridge, where Geir Helgemo of Monaco and Nicola Smith of England added male and female individual titles to team honours earlier in the week, while Jiang Chuan of China took the men's title in xiangqi.

China secured their third title of the day in the go pairs event, while Italy's Michele Borghetti and Cameroon's Jean Marc Ndjofang secured the final two gold medals in draughts.  

Cameroon were among the winners in draughts at the SportAccord World Mind Games as Jean Marc Ndjofang (right) won the super blitz event ©SportAccordCameroon were among the winners in draughts at the SportAccord World Mind Games as Jean Marc Ndjofang (right) won the super blitz event ©SportAccord



"In terms of scale, competition, organisation and broadcasting, this edition of the World Mind Games has set the benchmark for all future editions, and even other SportAccord Multi-Sports Games," said SportAccord Director General Vlad Marinescu when closing the annual event.

"We congratulate the athletes for their success, the International Federations for their contributions and the local Organising Committee for their untiring efforts in ensuring the event's conduct.

"We also thank the sponsors for providing their valuable support for the World Mind Games 2014.

"The venue became a big melting pot for all elements that contribute towards a successful event and the cultural programme touched over 2,000 children, through the activities of our sporting ambassadors.

"Finally, we give a big vote of thanks to the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, the Board and Card Administrative Centre of the General Administration of Sport of China and the people of Beijing for welcoming us with open arms and making this the home of the World Mind Games for the last four years."

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