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 Four

Some words of encouragement for Padmini Rout before the game

Alexandra Kosteniuk lost to Harika Dronavalli in her third appearance this tournament

What a blunder! Kosteniuk was defeated by Harika Dronavalli in a nice game, while Soumya Swaminathan was unable to prove compensation for her pawn against Girya and lost. It all came down to the following game:

A big gift for Valentina Gunina, and for Russia

Shen Yang beat Wafa Shahenda

China, very predictably, massacred Egypt

Wafa Shrook was unable to upset her opponent today

Poland keeps being a dangerous opponent, but they couldn't keep up with Armenia today. Socko used the power of her better bishop to outplay Danielian, but Mrktchian retaliated by beating Zawadzka from a slightly better endgame. Szepkowska-Horowsa was clearly outplayed by her lower rated opponent, Galojan. Bartel was unable to bring home a full point and Armenia won by the minimum difference.

Poland board four today: Marta Bartel

Monica Socko keeps a good performance with a victory over Elina Danielian

Another rough day for Kazakhstan. Khotenashvili handedly outplayed Abdmualik, who has been having a very rough time on board one, scoring only half a point so far. Batsiashvili played a very nice game against Dauletova, including a magnificent break on e4 which seemed impossible to play.

Board three for Kazakhstan: Guliskhan Nakhbayeva

Nemcova is solid with four draws

USA suffered their first defeat in this tournament against the powerhouse of Ukraine. Anna Muzychuk outplayed Tatev Abrahamyan on board one in a King's Indian, Fianchetto Variation. Meanwhile in board one the game between Natalia Zhukova and Viktorija Ni was not close at all. The rating difference just seemed a little too big in this match-up.

A little pre-game death stare worked this time around

Interview with Anna Muzychuk

Replay Round Four Games

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Standings

Matches won give two points, draws one point and losses zero points.

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 All games in PGN 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.