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On a different day Spain's draw against Azerbaijan might have been called a sensation. However, two unbelievable results took place in round 4: Russia lost 1-3 to Bulgaria, while Germania crushed Ukraine 3.5-0.5!
After four round Germany, Azerbaijan, France, Spain and Bulgaria are leading with 7 match points out of 8. The rating favorites - Russia and Ukraine - are struggling (12th and 13th place correspondingly) and, ironically, will be facing each other in round 5.
In the women's section Russia (#1) managed to overcome Ukraine (#2). Georgia (#3) won convincingly against Armenia: 3-1.
Russia and Georgia have 8/8 after 4 rounds and will take on each other in a critical round 5 match.
In round 3 quite a few upsets occurred. Peter Svidler drew Anish Giri quickly with White, and the Russia vs Netherlands match also ended in a tie. Hungary (#5) lost to Germany (#10). England (#8) managed to hold Armenia (#4) to a draw.
After 3 rounds only Azerbaijan and Spain have 6 match points. Russia, France, Germany and Bulgaria are in pursuit with 5.
The results of the Women's tournament are more predictable so far. Russia whitewashed Romania (4:0), but the main competitors also won their matches.
Just like we expected before the tournament, Russia, Ukraine and Georgia are leading with 6 match points out of 6.
Round 2 was much more intense in terms of some important matches between the rating favorites. Ukraine (#2) drew Bulgaria (#7). Azerbaijan (#3) crushed Armenia 3-1. Hungary (#5) failed to beat Croatia (#16). England (#8) lost to Greece (#19): 1.5-2.5. Austria (#23) succumbed to Latvia (#27): 1-3.
In the Open section five teams won both their matches: Romania, Greece, Russia, Azerbaijan, Spain.
Among the relatively surprising results in the Women's section were Netherlands, #13-Germany, #7 (2:2) and Spain, #10 - Czech Republic, #18 (1.5-2.5). Five teams are in the lead: Serbia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Georgia.
Nowadays chess is popular all around the world, and most countries can put up a fight against anybody. For example, in the very first round the Russian dream team was on the verge of tying against Moldova, until Alexander Morozevich saved the day for the rating favorite. However, other top teams won their matches more convincingly:
In the women's sections the only minor sensation was that Armenia failed to defeat the Czech Republic:
Venue: Porto Carras, Greece
Format: Swiss tournament, 9 rounds, 4 players and 1 reserve in each team
Date: Nov. 3-12, 2011
Number of teams: 38 (Open section), 28 (women) Official website
In the Open section the competition will be extremely tough this year. Four teams have an average rating over 2700:
Russia, average rating - 2758
Peter Svidler - 2755
Sergey Karjakin - 2763
Alexander Grischuk - 2752
Alexander Morozevich - 2762
Ian Nepomniatchi - 2730
Ukraine, average rating - 2729
Vassily Ivanchuk - 2775
Ruslan Ponomariov - 2723
Pavel Eljanov - 2691
Zahar Efimenko - 2702
Alexander Moiseenko - 2715
Evgeny Tomashevsky from Saratov is now at 2740, +30 points in one rating period!
FIDE has published the fresh rating list. Let's take a look at the wellbeing of the top players.
Kramnik is back to the 2800+ club. Radjabov, Tomashevsky and Caruana have broken their personal records. The Russian Chess Team's coach (!) Riazantsev has entered the 2700+ group for the first time ever.
In the women's section Muzychuk A and Ju Wenjun broke their personal records, and the Russian Women's Chess Champion Gunina entered the 2500+ club for the first time ever.
