Ukraine
tops the standings after three rounds at the World Team Championship in
Kemer, Antalya (Turkey). After beating Azerbaijan 2.5-1.5, the team
with Ivanchuk, Korobov, Moiseenko, Kryvoruchko and Areshchenko is the
only one left with a perfect score. Armenia follows with one match point
less.
Kramnik-Aronian from round 1 | All photos courtesy of the Turkish Chess Federation
Before we get to the third round, let's look at a few key games from round 1 and 2 which weren't mentioned here yet. For example, in the first round the big clash Armenia-Russia ended in four draws and on top board this match saw the game between the world's number 2 and 3! Here is that fascinating fight in the Botvinnik Semi-Slav with some brief notes by IMs Merijn van Delft and Robert Ris from CVO 256.
After their big success against Russia, the USA went down 1.5-2.5
against Armenia the next day. Kamsky-Movesian, Akopian-Onischuk and
Akobian-Sargissan were all drawn, and so it was all about what happened
on board one.
Moiseenko defeated Durarbayli, whose frivolous sacrifice in the opening didn't have the desired effect:
The Netherlands finally got their first two match points thanks to Giri's excellent win over Khenkin.
The FIDE World Team Championship is held every
two years. It's taking place 26 November - 5 December in Kemer, Antalya
(Turkey). It's a single round robin among ten teams.
Kramnik-Aronian from round 1 | All photos courtesy of the Turkish Chess Federation
Before we get to the third round, let's look at a few key games from round 1 and 2 which weren't mentioned here yet. For example, in the first round the big clash Armenia-Russia ended in four draws and on top board this match saw the game between the world's number 2 and 3! Here is that fascinating fight in the Botvinnik Semi-Slav with some brief notes by IMs Merijn van Delft and Robert Ris from CVO 256.
Aronian and Kramnik at the press conference
And here's another high-profile game from the same round; Ivanchuk's
answer to Nakamura's Berlin was a transposition into a Spanish Four
Knights.
Aronian decides the match...
...beating Nakamura in a rook ending
Ukraine won its third match in a row, against Azerbaijan. Ivanchuk
and Mamedov drew a fascinating King's Indian, Petrosian Variation:
Alexander Moiseenko wins an important game
China-Russia was another hard-fought battle; only Wang Yue-Karjakin
was drawn quickly. Nepomniachtchi scored the only (lucky) win:
A painful loss for Yu Yangyi
Kramnik tried for long to win an ending against Li Chao, but the Chinese number 5 did a good job on top board:
Anish Giri, the Dutch top ace
| Rank | Team | Gam. | + | = | - | MP | Pts. |
| 1 | Ukraine | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7½ | ||
| 2 | Armenia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7½ | |
| 3 | Azerbaijan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| 4 | Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| 5 | Russia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5½ |
| 6 | United States of America | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
| 7 | China | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5½ | |
| 8 | Netherlands | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| 9 | Turkey | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| 10 | Egypt | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
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