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The championship takes place in the Yad Lebanim House, Reger Ave, Menahem Begin Square, Beer Sheva City, Israel. The world's strongest teams are participating, headed by Ukraine, Russia, Armenia and the USA. Israel, the host, is ranked fifth worldwide. Last year Israel won second place in the European championship games. There is also a women’s team from China competing, a first in such an event. A total of eight players are rated over 2700: Vassily Ivanchuk, Ruslan Ponomariov (both Ukraine), Peter Svidler, Alexander Grischuk, Alexander Morozevich (all Russia), Levon Aronian, Boris Akopian (Armenia) and Boris Gelfand (Israel). The youngest player is Sergey Karjakin, who is 16. The competition lasts ten days, during which eight rounds will be played.
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In the first round Russia beat Cuba 3-1, with Svidler and Morozevich winning their games on boards one and four against Bruzon and Quezada. Dreev and Grischuk drew. The US defeated Georgia 2.5-1.5, the winner coming from Ibragimov against Pantsulaia. Armenia and Israel drew 2-2, while the Chinese Men ungallantly trounced the Chinese Women 4-0.
In the round two Cuba defeated the Chinese Women 3-1, Georgia lost to Armenia 1-3, and Ukraine defeated the US 2.5-1.5, with Ivanchuk and Volokitin scoring against Onischuk and Goldin, and Eljanov losing to Ibrgaimov. In the top encounter Russia defeated hosts Israel 2.5-1.5, with Svidler and Morozevich once again winning their games against Gelfand and Sutovsky, and Smirin defeating Alexander Grischuk.
| Team | wins | losses | draws | points | |
| 1 | Russia | ||||
| 2 | Armenia | ||||
| 3 | USA | ||||
| 4 | Cuba | ||||
| 5 | China Men | ||||
| 6 | Israel | ||||
| 7 | Ukraine | ||||
| 8 | Georgia | ||||
| 9 | China Women |
The official web site is nicely designed, obviously by an ambitious design team. The navigation is unusual with drop-downs for almost everything. There is live transmission of the games and plenty of (uncaptioned) pictures. In the Reports section you will find comments and annotated game fragments by Alon Greenfeld.
The venue is the the beautiful Yad Lebanim House in Beer Sheva, Israel
Visitors and spectators at the openings ceremony
The press conference before the start of the event
The playing hall, with USA vs Georgia (left) and Armenia vs Israel in progress
Russia's Alexander Grischuk in his first-round game against Jesus Nogueiras
Yuniesky Quezada (Cuba) vs. Alexander Morozevich (Russia)
Playing for the US: Boris Gulko
One of the Chinese Women's squad
Even the very young know and enjoy chess in Israel
Two analysts trying to solve a complicated endgame position
Commentary in the theatre of the Yad Lebanim House
