2016 Baku Rd9: US and Ukraine lead, Russia third

2016 Baku Olympiad

All games start at 3 p.m. local time = 1 p.m. in Europe (CEST), one hour earlier in Britain, and 2 p.m. in Moscow. You can find the starting time at your location here.

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Round nine

If the competition were to be described as a race around a track, then the ninth round could be seen as the final curve before the sprint to the finish line. Although the highest profile encounter of the day was the United States versus Norway, it was mostly by virtue of the board one encounter between Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana, both over 2800, and quite likely the only game between two 2800 players that will take place at Baku.

On paper the Americans had a significant advantage overall. The World Champion could undoubtedly score a point for his team, but that was unlikely to offset the depth of the US team’s other boards.

Once more the media and photographers gathered around the point of greatest interest, and there was little denying the attraction of the match between the two young elite players. (photo by E. Kublashvili)

Earlier this year, Fabiano Caruana had led the Candidates Tournament going into the last round and might easily have been Carlsen's challenger. Although he missed his chance this time, he did win the US Championship, arguably with the strongest field ever. (photo by Pascal Simon)

It was a rather curious choice of openings as Magnus Carlsen decided to whip out the Scandinavian Defense (1.e4 d5) with black for the second time against Caruana. He had previously done so in a classical game in Tromso 2014. Hikaru Nakamura's face shows exactly what he thinks of this choice. (photo by E. Kublashvili)

Fabiano Caruana analyzes his game with Magnus Carlsen

Although it ended in a very interesting draw, the strength of the US team made itself felt on other boards as Hikaru Nakamura and Sam Shankland both won their respective games to win the match 3-1.

The highest profile match overall, at least inasmuch as the standings were concerned, was between Ukraine and India, both of whom shared the lead with the US entering the round.

It was a tough, high quality match that was ultimately decided on the fourth board between S.P. Sethuraman and Anton Korobov. The Ukrainian nursed an endgame advantage with the utmost seriousness and was ultimately able to convert it and decide the match. With this result, Ukraine ties the US for first-second. (photo by M. Emelianova)

Alexander Grischuk started slow, but has now scored two important wins in the last two rounds (photo by David Llada)

The Russian team faced a tough challenge with the very strong Azeri team, but ended up winning it 3-1 with wins by Kramnik and Grischuk (above) over Radjabov and Naiditsch respectively. This also helped keep Russia's medal ambitions alive as they are in clear third, just behind the US and Ukraine. We bring you detailed annotations by GM Elshan Moradiabadi on Kramnik's victory.

Vladimir Kramnik - Teimour Radjabov (annotated by GM Elshan Moradiabadi)

Daniel King's on-site report of round nine

The biggest upset of the day was the match between England and Iran. Iran came as the heavy underdog with a very modest 2518 average on their top four boards, compared to England's elite 2685 average. It is true that Iran had already surprised many with its team of extremely talented players, all of whom are teenagers with the exception of board one, Ehsan Maghami, but even so, experience and proven ability have to count for something, right?

If it does, it did not come out in this match as both top boards drew fairly easily, but the next boards were where the match was decided. On board four, untitled 13-year-old Alireza Firouzja (2463) lost to Gawain Jones, after missing a decisive tactic:

Gawain Jones - Alireza Firouzja

Whether oversight or simply overwhelmed, Black missed this shot. White to play and win.

This happened fairly early in the match and Firouzja did his best to try and hold, though the situation was clear. Luke McShane, who has not been having a good event at all, went down on board three to the 17-year-old IM Shahin Lorparizangeneh in a tactical conclusion. The Iranian is now assured of a GM norm.

Shahin Lorparizangeneh - Luke McShane

The young Iranians are not the only players making waves at Baku though. 15-year-old IM Anton Smirnov from Australia, rated 2482, has been having a phenomenal tournament with a fantastic 7.0/8 and 2755 performance. His performance is such that all he has to do is appear at the board in round 10 to earn a GM norm.

Susan Polgar has a quick interview with Anton Smirnov at the Baku Olympiad. Bear in mind this was recorded almost a week ago, before his incredible run had reached such proportions.

Think all that talk of teenagers on the rise is impressive, then take a look at 64-year-old Eugenio Torre, Asia's first grandmaster, also playing his record breaking 23rd Olympiad. Is it to talk about his desire to still play, and so on? No, it is to describe his own staggering performance, making him a favorite for a gold medal on board three! The senior citizen (ok, ok, he has a couple of months to go still) has played in every round, and has scored 8.0/9 with an amazing 2804 performance. Just amazing.

Eugenio Torre, 64 years old, is on track for a gold medal on board three! (photo by David Llada)

Still, let's not forget about the astonishing Baadur Jobava, whose results have single-handedly kept Georgia in contention for a place on the podium. He continues his winning ways, and in round nine played Richard Rapport from Hungary, whom he defeated in a long endame squeeze. His 7.0/8 is now good for a 3013 performance! (photo by David Llada)

Some of the ChessBase crew at the stand at Baku (photo by David Llada)

Women's Event

The Women's competition was dominated by the key match between the US and China. Whoever left victorious would be a favorite for gold in the end.

GM Robert Hess, talking to Daniel King, is the coach of the US Women's team, and he describes the spirit and preparations of the team

Each of these matches seems to be decided by one key game, and a key player of the day. In this round and match that player was Ju Wenjun. Ju Wenjun has not always shown her best at Baku, but for this crucial round she shone when her team needed her the most, as all others had drawn, and won a key victory against Nazi Paikidze to give China the win. China is now in the clear lead. (photo by M. Emelianova)

Harika Dronavalli - Peng Zhaoqin

White finishes off her opponent in style. White to play and win.

A quick chat with Canadian talent, 16-year old FM Qiyu Zhou

Russia is still alive in the tournament, though gold seems like a stretch now short of a series of mriacle results. They are tied for third in a group of four and defeated Vietnam in round nine. Their win was signed once again by Valentina Gunina, who is also the highest performer in the Women's event with 7.0/8 and a 2707 performance.

Valentina Gunina - Hoang Thi Bao Tram

Black finds a way to exploit some of the tactical possibilities. Black to play and win material.

Anna Rudolf visits one of the many stalls at the Baku Olyumpiad, this one is purely of handmade chocolates with a chess theme. Chess boards in chocolate, pieces, and more. Yum!

Solutions to positions:

About GM Elshan Moradiabadi Elshan Moradiabadi is a GM born and raised in Tehran, Iran. He moved to the US in 2012. Ever since, he has been active in US college chess scenes and in US chess. Elshan co-authored "Chess and the Art of War: Ancient Wisdom to Make You a Better Player" with Al Lawrence. He has also published written articles for ChessBase, and edited opening materials for fellow authors. Elshan Moradiabadi is a veteran instructor and teaches chess to every level, with students ranging from beginners to IM. He can be contacted for projects or teaching at his email. You can contact him at his email or follow him on Twitter.

Round nine games (with times per move)