Chengdu R1: Big Surprises!

The city of Chengdu in China is hosting the Women's World Chess Team Championship from April 18th to 28. The organizers are Chinese Chess Association, FIDE World Chess Federation, with the support of Board and Card Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport of China and Chengdu Municipal Government.

The best teams of the world will participate in the coming championship, among which the previous event's Women’s World Team Champion, the three highest-placed teams in the FIDE Olympiad prior to the event, the four Continental Champions, a team from the organizing federation, a team to be nominated by FIDE President. The ten countries are: China, Russia, Ukraine, USA, India, Poland, Armenia, Georgia, Egypt and Kazakhstan. Every team consists of five players and the team-winner will be determined in a round-robin event after 9 rounds. Time control is 90 minutes per 40 moves and thirty minutes until the end of the game plus 30 seconds increment per move.

This year's participants are Kazakhstan, India, China, USA, Ukraine, Russia, Gerogia, Armenia, Poland and Egypt.

Round One

Round one starting

Kazakhstan 2.5 -1.5 India
The first surprise of the day! Kazakhstan beat powerhouse India with wins by Nakhbayeva over Padmini and Dauletova against Gomes. Definitely no the start that India wanted, who finally regained their top player for the World Team Championship. However she was held to a draw by young Abdumalik.

Kazakhstan with a very good start

Koneru Humpy drew Zhansaya Abdumalik today

Guliskan Nakhbayeva with a very important win...

...against Padmini Rout

Ukraine 0.5-3.5 Poland
The real surprise of the day! Ukraine, certainly one of the strongest teams in this tournament, was annihilated by Poland. A huge 3.5-0.5 demolition. Socko beat Anna Muzychuk after White underestimated Black's resources in an endgame. Ushenina flagged in an uncomfortable but far from lost position against Zawadzka, while Bartel beat Gaponenko.

Most people counted on Ukraine winning today

Natalia Zhukova was the only half point Ukraine got today

Monica Socko surprised Anna Muzychuk

USA 3.0-1.0 Egypt
The two weakest teams of the tournament by rating faced each other on the first round. USA had no trouble winning this match despite Foisor blundering into checkmate. Melekhina was down a piece in her game, but her opponent blundered horribly.

Alisa Melekhina won her first game in the World Team Championship,
despite being down a piece for no compensation

Tatev Abrahamyan in her debut as America's #1 board

Georgia 2.0-2.0 Russia
An important match-up. Russia was the favorite by rating, but things were not so clear over the board. Khotenashvili showed excellent understanding of the exchange Slav to take the full point against Gunina. Russia's young Goryachkina retaliated and defeated Batsiashvili.

Georgia and Russia split the points 2.0-2.0

Aleksandra Goryachkina was the only win by Russia today

Armenia 1.0-3.0 China
China had no problems beating Armenia. Shen Yang played a very clean game against Galojan while Lei Tingjie trapped Kursova' bishop almost out of nowhere.

Being the coach requires plenty of patience

China had no issues proving why they are one of the favorites

Replay Round One Games

Select from the dropdown menu to replay the games

Standings

Schedule

Round 1 - April 19, 15:00 Beijing

Round 2 - April 20, 15:00 Beijing

Round 3 - April 21, 15:00 Beijing

Round 4 - April 22, 15:00 Beijing

Round 5 - April 23, 15:00 Beijing

Round 6 - April 25, 15:00 Beijing

Round 7 - April 26, 15:00 Beijing

Round 8 - April 27, 15:00 Beijing

Round 9 - April 28, 11:00 Beijing

Links Official tournament site The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 13 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.