ETCC: Highlights from first two rounds

by ChessBase
10/30/2017 – After rounds one and two, seven teams have won both matches in the open, with the overall leader Hungary winning 6½ of 8 possible board points. Among the leaders are Armenia who brought in Levon Aronian to face the host team of Greece (pictured). The women's tournament has eight teams, each with two wins. The leader is Israel with 6½ board points. England's new Grandmaster Daniel Fernandez annotates five games for our report. | Photo: ETCC on Instagram (www.instagram.com/etcc2017)
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Seven teams on 2 : 0

The story of Round 1 was the surprise upset of second seed Azerbaijan at the hands of the Italian squad. Italy kept the momentum in Round 2 against Turkey, again largely thanks to a win from Sabino Brunello, who knocked off Mustafa Yilmaz. On Saturday he upset Arkadij Naiditsch in a game annoted by GM Daniel Fernandez below.

Several top names made their debut appearance in the round, including newlywed Levon Aronian for Armenia, and Alexander Grischuk for Russia. Aronian overcame Greek top board Ioannis Papaioannou en route to a 2½ : 1½ win for the Armenians. After nursing a small edge with the bishop pair for much of the game, Aronian let his oppenent pull equal with the black pieces as move 40 approached. But just shy of the time control, Papaioannou blundered:

 
Levon Aronian vs. Ioannis Papaioannou
Position after 38.Rf1

38...f6?

Forgetting the pin on the seventh rank, black was swiftly punished: 39.Bxf6 Qg6 40.Bc3 Rb5 41.Qh4 1-0 With two pawns down and no counterplay, Papaioannou gave up.

GM Daniel Fernandez also annotates this game below.

(Below) Levon Aronian sporting a wedding ring | Photo: ETCC2017 Instagram

Results of Round 2

Levon Aronian

Team MP Res. : Res. MP Team
Armenia 2 2½ : 1½ 2 Greece 1
Romania 2 ½ : 3½ 2 Hungary
Netherlands 2 2½ : 1½ 2 Ukraine
Georgia 2 1½ : 2½ 2 Czech Republic
France 2 2 : 2 2 Spain
Belarus 2 1½ : 2½ 2 Russia
Croatia 2 2½ : 1½ 2 Serbia
Turkey 2 1½ : 2½ 2 Italy
England 1 3 : 1 1 Norway
Moldova 1 1 : 3 1 Israel
Poland 1 3 : 1 1 Greece 2
Slovakia 1 ½ : 3½ 1 Germany
Azerbaijan 0 4 : 0 0 Austria
Slovenia 0 2½ : 1½ 0 Denmark
Finland 0 1 : 3 0 Portugal
Belgium 0 1½ : 2½ 0 Switzerland
Iceland 0 2½ : 1½ 0 Albania
Kosovo* 0 1 : 3 0 Montenegro
FYROM 0 2 : 2 0 Greece - Crete
Faroe Islands 0 2 : 2 0 Scotland

Annotated games by GM Daniel Fernandez

 
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As the round 1 'game of the day' I have to pick, without a doubt (!) ...this thrilling battle of wits, even though it did not involve any of the absolute top seeded teams or players. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 0-0 7...c5 is generally regarded as being more 'to the point'; after the equivalent move 8.Be2 there would now follow Nc6 9.d5 9.Be3 Bg4 9...Bxc3+ 10.Bd2 Bxa1 11.Qxa1 Nd4 as in, for instance, Dziuba,M (2556)-Ipatov,A (2494) Moscow 2009. Israeli GM Boris Avrukh considers here that White has to scrape the barrel to find compensation, and I do not see a reason to disagree. 8.Be2 Of course, there are heaps of moves here; alternatives are Be3 and Rb1, among others, and I'm not keen to go into more irrelevant theory. Trust me, there is a lot more interesting stuff later; and suffice it to say that after 7...0-0 White is well suited by this move, with its aim of castling quickly. c5 9.0-0 b6!? Probably best. 9...Nc6 is the most played move, however, there are drawbacks; the move makes little sense when neither ...Qa5 nor ...Bxc3 comes with check. 10.Be3 10.d5!? Bxc3 10...Ne5 11.Nxe5 Bxe5 12.Be3 11.Bh6 Nd4 12.Rc1 Nxf3+ 13.Bxf3 Bd4 Black should get compensation, but certainly not more. 10...cxd4 11.cxd4 Bg4 12.d5 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Qd3 Qd7!? Seemingly a result of preparation, but also supremely logical in that Black definitely would like to play ...e6. Maybe this was not the best time for it though. 11...Nd7 12.d5 now forces some contortions. Qe8 13.Rad1 f5 14.exf5 Rxf5 15.c4?! 15.Qe3N 15...e5?! Komarov,D (2570)-Tomescu,V (2425) Reggio Emilia 1999 11...h6! seems like the best way to implement Black's idea, for instance 12.Bh4 12.Bf4 e6 12...Qd7 13.Rad1 e6 14.d5 exd5 15.exd5 c4! By contrast to the version without ...h6 and Bh4, here Black need not worry about Qd2 and Bh6 ideas. Greenfeld,A (2560)-Rechlis,G (2510) Tel Aviv 1996 12.Rad1 e6 12...Re8!? On some level, this looks like another plausible implementation of Black's opening concept, and one which leaves open the option of avoiding Bh6 trades. Of course, the downside is that White can play 13.d5! e6 14.c4 Qa4 15.Rd2 when Black has not quite managed to detonate the centre as he would like 13.Qe3 13.d5!? h6 14.Be3 exd5 15.exd5 was of course still an option. 13...Qa4 13...Qc6!? is worthy of note; as baby Grunfeld players we are taught to never fear the d5 push, but here Black's kingside is just too weak to allow it. Especially in light of the previous note, this computer recommendation looks terrible. 14.d5 exd5 15.exd5 Qa4 16.Be7! Of course, White should ignore the queenside. 16.Rd2?! Re8 16...Nd7!? 17.Qd3 Bc8!? 16...Re8 17.Ng5! 14.Bh6 White, who has been playing utterly principled chess, chooses to remind his opponent that mate is a possibility. In general, White should do this quickly, before his centre falls apart... Nd7! 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.e5 Rac8 17.Rd2 17.h4 probably kept White's advantage. Certainly Black can't stop the pawn; he has to act elsewhere. For instance: Qc6 17...h5 18.Ng5 Qa3 19.d5‼ Bxd5 20.Bf3± 18.h5 Qe4 19.h6+ Kg8 20.Qxe4 Bxe4 21.Ng5 17...b5?! 17...Qa3!? 17...Bd5 immediately also looks fine; why does the c4 square need to be reinforced before the bishop can go there? 18.dxc5 Bd5?! 18...Bxf3 As myself a veteran of many 'slow attacks' from European GMs of older generations, I know that paradoxical exchanges like this one can very often stop a slightly worse position from slipping totally out of control, and demand less energy from one in the long run, even if they aren't necessarily the absolute best moves... 19.Bxf3 Nxc5 20.Rd4 Qc2 20...Qxa2 21.Rh4 h5 22.Qg5 21.h4 h6! 22.h5 Qxa2∞ "Making hay while the sun shines" as the expression goes. White is some way off an actually strong attack. 19.Rd4 Qxa2 20.Rh4 Black's problem now is that the attack plays itself. Rh8! 20...h5 21.Rxh5 Rh8 would not leave Black even a pawn up for all his suffering, even if the engine thinks it is better. 21.Bxb5 Nxc5 22.Qh6+ As they always say when an attacker fails to win, "This does not yet spoil anything." 22.Qf4! is helpfully pointed out by the silicon grandmaster... Rcf8 22...Bxf3 23.Qf6+ Kg8 24.Rf4 23.Qf6+ Kg8 24.Ng5 Black is powerless against the threats, which include c4, Rf4, and Be8. Qc2 25.Rf4+- 22...Kg8 23.Ng5 Qd2 24.Rd4! Qxc3 25.Rf4 Rf8! 25...Qxe5 may once more be the objective best move, but Black loses material and cannot hope to ever survive. 26.Nxf7 Qg7 27.Qxg7+ Kxg7 28.Nxh8+- 26.Rxf7 26.Nxf7 It seems slightly more natural to make this capture, which essentially does not gain tempo, first, while there are more pieces on the board. Qd2! 27.Qg5!+- Black must sacrifice his queen. 26...Rxf7 27.Nxf7 There is one resource which White's move order has given Black, and he takes it: Bxg2! The young Polish grandmaster impresses with his tenacity while fighting in the very last ditch. It is absolutely critical to draw the White king out, so that a perpetual check motif appears as if by magic. 27...Kxf7 28.Qf4+ Kg8 29.Be8+- 28.Kxg2?! "But now this puts the win in peril", as the next stock phrase of the annotation of every failed attack goes. It is just as critical to not allow Black to obtain any practical chances... 28.Rc1!? This would have improved considerably; I am surprised that White, who has attacked brilliantly so far, decided that now was the time for material gain. The best 'human' suggestion is always to keep control as much as possible. Nobody cares how much the assessment 'slips' as long as you win in the end. Qf3! 29.Qg5 Qxf7 30.Rxc5 Bb7 31.Bc4 h6 32.Qg4!+- I am absolutely certain any GM would win this, against anyone else, whatever the time situation. 32.Qf6 might also win 28.Nxh8! Bxf1 29.Qf4 Once again this queen move, impossible to see in advance, forces mate. But as Gelfand says in his book, about such moves it is only possible to note them with satisfaction on your screen; in real analysis they might as well not be legal. 28...Qb4 29.Qg5 Kxf7 30.Qf6+ Kg8 31.Be8 Qg4+! 31...Qb7+ 32.f3 Qg7 was my first impulse, but now White really does win with a simple move that lets the queens come off: 33.Rc1+- 32.Kh1 Qf5 33.Bf7+ Kf8 34.Qxh8+ Kxf7 35.Qxh7+ Kf8 36.Qh8+ Kf7 37.Qf6+? Whether under time pressure or not, this move is completely understandable, and the endgame is extremely likely to look winning at first glance, even though it is not. To this we now turn our attention. 37.Qh7+ Kf8 38.Qh6+ Kf7 39.Rc1+- would be a ridiculous thing to expect anyone to play, unless you told them that neither ...Qxe5 nor . ..Qxf2 was any good. 37...Qxf6 38.exf6 Devoted readers can now look up a game of mine which had a similar theme: Westerberg-Fernandez, Vaxjo 2016... a5 39.Rc1 Nd3 40.Rc7+ Kxf6 41.Kg1 a4 42.Rc3 Nf4 43.Rc4 Kf5 44.Rxa4 The a-pawn was doomed anyway. e5 The question is whether this endgame is winning or not. I think it is not. 45.Ra3!? Indicating a wish to play with h3. 45.Ra8 45.Kf1!? We are all taught in kindergarten that the knight is a piece to be outflanked, not confronted head-on, so this move is worth considering. g5 46.Ke1 Kg4! Black must sit tight with both pawns. 46...g4? 47.Kd2 Nd5!? A key defensive setup, not giving White the e3-square to play with. Unfortunately, White only needs it at one moment in time. 47...Ng2 48.Rb4 Nf4 49.Rb3 Ne6 50.Ke3 Nf4 51.f3 Exchanging pawns in a way that yields tablebase wins... Nd5+ 52.Kf2 gxf3 53.Kxf3+- 47...Ne6 48.Ke3 Ng5 49.Ra8 Ne4 50.f3 Nf6 51.Rf8 gxf3 52.Kxf3+- 48.Rc4!? 48.Ra3 Ke4 49.Rg3 Kf4 50.Kd3 48.Kd3 Nf4+ 48...Nf4 48...Nf6 49.Ke2! Nd5 49...e4 50.f3 Nf6 51.fxg4+ Nxg4 52.h3+- 49.f3!?+- Some form of this idea should work. 46...e4 47.Kd2 Ng2 48.Ke2 g4 49.Ra8 will not last long 47.Ra3 Kf5 48.Kd2 Ne6 48...Ke4 should also draw 49.Kd3 Nf4+ 50.Kc4 Kg4 51.Re3 Kf5 52.Kc5 Ke6 The outflanking cannot be completed... 53.Rg3 Kf5 54.Kd6 e4!= 45...g5 46.h3 Ng6 46...g4 47.h4! 47.Kg2 47.Ra4 There are now two ways of playing: with ...e4, and without. e4 Simpler. 47...Nf4 48.Kh2 Ne2 49.Ra2 Nf4 50.Kg3 Nh5+ 51.Kf3 Nf4 52.Ra8 Nh5 52...Nxh3 53.Rf8++- 53.Rf8+ Nf6 54.Ke3 Ke6 It would indeed be interesting to know if this fortress can be broken down, but at present I don't see a way. 48.Ra5+ Kf4 49.Ra6 Nh4 50.Rf6+ Ke5 51.Rf8 Nf5 52.Kg2 Kf4 A nice compact fortress position. 47...g4 48.hxg4+ Kxg4 49.Rg3+ Tablebases now give a draw and it was indeed effortlessly held. Kf5 50.Kf3 Nf4 51.Rg8 Ne6 52.Ke3 Ng5 53.Kd3 Ne6 54.Re8 Nf4+ 55.Ke3 Ne6 56.Ra8 Ng5 57.Rf8+ Ke6 58.Kd3 Nh7 59.Rh8 Nf6 60.Kc4 Ne4 61.Rh2 Kf5 62.Kd5 Nc3+ 63.Kd6 Kf4 64.Rh4+ Kf3 65.Rh3+ Kxf2 66.Rxc3 e4 A titanic struggle! ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Ftacnik,L2546Duda,J2706½–½2017European Team Championship
Aronian,L2801Papaioannou,I26521–02017A20European Team Championship
Jobava,B2705Navara,D27260–12017European Team Championship
Naiditsch,A2702Brunello,S25550–12017European Team Championship
Navara,D2726Rasmussen,A25421–02017B12European Team Championship

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The Grünfeld is a highly dynamic opening in which Black's position often seems to hang together by a single thread; and yet, this apparently precarious equilibrium appears to be enough to make it entirely viable — up to the highest level.

Top ten teams after two rounds

Rk. Team  TB1 
1 Hungary 4
2 Netherlands 4
3 Armenia 4
4 Czech Republic 4
5 Italy 4
6 Croatia 4
7 Russia 4
8 France 3
9 Spain 3
10 Germany 3

Tiebreak 1: Match points (2 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss)
Tiebreak 2: Team Sonneborn-Berger (minus the lowest result)
Tiebreak 3: Board points

Interestingly, Vladimir Fedoseev was replaced at the last minute by Daniil Dubov. The ETCC Instagram paged updated this photo post with a comment noting the change.

All games (rounds 1 and 2)

 
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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.0-0 Nge7 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Ng6 7.Be3 Be7 8.Be2 0-0 9.c4 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 b6 11.Re1 Bb7 12.Nc3 Bc6 13.Bf1 Bc5 14.Qd2 Bxd4 15.Qxd4 f5 16.b4 Qe7 17.b5 Bb7 18.Rad1 Rad8 19.a4 fxe4 20.Nxe4 d5 21.cxd5 Rxd5 22.Qe3 Rfd8 23.Rc1 Re5 24.Rc4 Nf8 25.Qf4 Rxe4 26.Rcxe4 Bxe4 27.Qxe4 Qc5 28.Bc4 Kh8 29.Qc6 Qb4 30.Kf1 Qxa4 31.g3 h6 32.Bxe6 Nxe6 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Nepomniachtchi,I2733Lenic,L2650½–½2017B3021st European Teams1.1
Beliavsky,A2547Vitiugov,N27280–12017D3921st European Teams1.1
Matlakov,M2730Sebenik,M2534½–½2017E0421st European Teams1.1
Skoberne,J2544Dubov,D2677½–½2017A4521st European Teams1.1
Vocaturo,D2607Radjabov,T2741½–½2017B3221st European Teams1.2
Naiditsch,A2702Brunello,S25550–12017C7721st European Teams1.2
Dvirnyy,D2542Mamedov,R26780–12017D7921st European Teams1.2
Guseinov,G2647Moroni,L25060–12017C7821st European Teams1.2
Kryvoruchko,Y2692Ragger,M2659½–½2017C5021st European Teams1.3
Shengelia,D2556Ponomariov,R26870–12017E5321st European Teams1.3
Kuzubov,Y2690Schreiner,P24801–02017A3421st European Teams1.3
Dragnev,V2466Kravtsiv,M26770–12017C8821st European Teams1.3
Bologan,V2615Short,N26981–02017C5021st European Teams1.4
Howell,D2698Svetushkin,D2556½–½2017E3221st European Teams1.4
Hamitevici,V2519Jones,G2662½–½2017E6021st European Teams1.4
McShane,L2647Morozov,N24671–02017C6921st European Teams1.4
Gelfand,B2737Hammer,J2632½–½2017E0621st European Teams1.5
Salomon,J2477Rodshtein,M26990–12017D4521st European Teams1.5
Sutovsky,E2683Christiansen,J24620–12017C7321st European Teams1.5
Notkevich,B2458Smirin,I2635½–½2017E9421st European Teams1.5
Pelletier,Y2540Movsesian,S2671½–½2017D3821st European Teams1.6
Sargissian,G2657Bogner,S25991–02017E1021st European Teams1.6
Georgiadis,N2516Melkumyan,H2642½–½2017B1021st European Teams1.6
Gabuzyan,H2583Kurmann,O24811–02017E1821st European Teams1.6
Erdos,V2624Steingrimsson,H25761–02017D6321st European Teams1.7
Gretarsson,H2567Rapport,R26860–12017E1621st European Teams1.7
Almasi,Z2707Stefansson,H2508½–½2017A1521st European Teams1.7
Kjartansson,G2456Berkes,F2661½–½2017A1521st European Teams1.7
Ftacnik,L2546Duda,J2706½–½2017D8521st European Teams1.8
Piorun,K2640Markos,J25591–02017B3321st European Teams1.8
Repka,C2470Bartel,M26131–02017D1721st European Teams1.8
Tomczak,J2583Jurcik,M2479½–½2017B5621st European Teams1.8
Meier,G2655Nikolaidis,I2519½–½2017A0721st European Teams1.9
Kelires,A2510Bluebaum,M26430–12017E0121st European Teams1.9
Fridman,D2626Theodorou,N2512½–½2017E6221st European Teams1.9
Mastrovasilis,A2488Svane,R25951–02017D1421st European Teams1.9
Djukic,N2519Giri,A2762½–½2017B9121st European Teams1.10
L'Ami,E2611Blagojevic,D2488½–½2017D5221st European Teams1.10
Draskovic,L2450Sokolov,I26030–12017A2121st European Teams1.10
Van Foreest,J2609Kalezic,B24651–02017C0621st European Teams1.10
Navara,D2726Rasmussen,A25421–02017B1221st European Teams1.11
Thybo,J2479Hracek,Z2610½–½2017E3221st European Teams1.11
Stocek,J2581Ochsner,B24581–02017E9221st European Teams1.11
Percivaldi,M2388Plat,V25510–12017A1521st European Teams1.11
Nyback,T2572Edouard,R26070–12017D2021st European Teams1.12
Bauer,C2647Karttunen,M24651–02017A4921st European Teams1.12
Ebeling,D2465Gharamian,T2626½–½2017D3721st European Teams1.12
Maze,S2614Sipila,V23631–02017C6521st European Teams1.12
Mchedlishvili,M2604Pancevski,F24890–12017E9421st European Teams1.13
Nedev,T2479Pantsulaia,L25860–12017B4221st European Teams1.13
Jojua,D2591Stojanovski,D24541–02017E0021st European Teams1.13
Nikolovski,N2420Paichadze,L25800–12017B1221st European Teams1.13
Ferreira,J2499Bosiocic,M26190–12017E4621st European Teams1.14
Stevic,H2616Fernandes,A2442½–½2017C8421st European Teams1.14
Sousa,A2405Jankovic,A25751–02017B4021st European Teams1.14
Martinovic,S2565Silva,L23551–02017D3521st European Teams1.14
Anton Guijarro,D2651Ziska,H2545½–½2017E7121st European Teams1.15
Nielsen,H2352Salgado Lopez,I2629½–½2017B4821st European Teams1.15
Lopez Martinez,J2607Nielsen,R23381–02017E1121st European Teams1.15
Rodgaard,J2332Korneev,O25570–12017D3021st European Teams1.15
Hovhannisyan,M2466Kovalev,V26360–12017E6221st European Teams1.16
Stupak,K2578Godart,F2397½–½2017A1321st European Teams1.16
Beukema,S2378Aleksandrov,A25880–12017C5321st European Teams1.16
Fedorov,A2582Claesen,P23161–02017C0021st European Teams1.16
Markus,R2644Mehmeti,D24281–02017A4321st European Teams1.17
Pasko,L2292Ivanisevic,I25930–12017E1021st European Teams1.17
Indjic,A2591Ashiku,F23941–02017D3021st European Teams1.17
Seitaj,I2372Sedlak,N2547½–½2017C1421st European Teams1.17
Saraci,N2393Solak,D26260–12017D1721st European Teams1.18
Can,E2604Makolli,P2333½–½2017D2721st European Teams1.18
Ermeni,A2247Sanal,V25490–12017A4621st European Teams1.18
Yilmazyerli,M2491Sadiku,B22131–02017B2021st European Teams1.18
Papaioannou,I2652Hristodoulou,P23181–02017E0421st European Teams1.19
Naoum,S2295Banikas,H25840–12017E2021st European Teams1.19
Mastrovasilis,D2571Anagnostopoulos,K22901–02017C7221st European Teams1.19
Papadopoulos,A2182Pavlidis,A25460–12017B8421st European Teams1.19
Tate,A2366Lupulescu,C26200–12017C0721st European Teams1.20
Deac,B2560Berry,N22831–02017A1321st European Teams1.20
Burnett,A2226Szabo,G25630–12017A4021st European Teams1.20
Nevednichy,V2524Grant,J21791–02017B1021st European Teams1.20
Aronian,L2801Papaioannou,I26521–02017A2021st European Teams2.1
Banikas,H2584Movsesian,S26711–02017E0621st European Teams2.1
Sargissian,G2657Pavlidis,A25461–02017A0521st European Teams2.1
Halkias,S2583Melkumyan,H2642½–½2017C8921st European Teams2.1
Lupulescu,C2620Leko,P2679½–½2017E1421st European Teams2.1
Rapport,R2686Parligras,M26161–02017E2021st European Teams2.1
Deac,B2560Almasi,Z27070–12017C5021st European Teams2.1
Berkes,F2661Szabo,G25631–02017E2021st European Teams2.1
Giri,A2762Eljanov,P27201–02017D2821st European Teams2.1
Ponomariov,R2687L'Ami,E2611½–½2017A1521st European Teams2.1
Bok,B2611Kuzubov,Y2690½–½2017C4221st European Teams2.1
Kravtsiv,M2677Sokolov,I2603½–½2017C5021st European Teams2.1
Jobava,B2705Navara,D27260–12017B5021st European Teams2.1
Laznicka,V2654Mchedlishvili,M2604½–½2017A2221st European Teams2.1
Pantsulaia,L2586Stocek,J25811–02017A0521st European Teams2.1
Plat,V2551Jojua,D25911–02017B3021st European Teams2.1
Bauer,C2647Anton Guijarro,D2651½–½2017C8021st European Teams2.2
Salgado Lopez,I2629Gharamian,T2626½–½2017C0221st European Teams2.2
Fressinet,L2657Lopez Martinez,J2607½–½2017E1221st European Teams2.2
Ibarra Jerez,J2561Maze,S2614½–½2017A0521st European Teams2.2
Zhigalko,S2638Grischuk,A2785½–½2017B4021st European Teams2.2
Nepomniachtchi,I2733Kovalev,V2636½–½2017C8421st European Teams2.2
Stupak,K2578Matlakov,M27300–12017E1021st European Teams2.2
Dubov,D2677Fedorov,A2582½–½2017B3021st European Teams2.2
Saric,I2662Markus,R26441–02017C1821st European Teams2.2
Ivanisevic,I2593Bosiocic,M2619½–½2017E2121st European Teams2.2
Jankovic,A2575Perunovic,M2608½–½2017A3321st European Teams2.2
Indjic,A2591Martinovic,S2565½–½2017D0221st European Teams2.2
Solak,D2626Vocaturo,D2607½–½2017E5621st European Teams2.2
Brunello,S2555Yilmaz,M26331–02017D3721st European Teams2.2
Can,E2604Godena,M2489½–½2017D2521st European Teams2.2
Moroni,L2506Sanal,V2549½–½2017E1821st European Teams2.2
Adams,M2727Tari,A2578½–½2017B1121st European Teams2.3
Hammer,J2632Howell,D26980–12017B1221st European Teams2.3
Jones,G2662Christiansen,J24621–02017A0621st European Teams2.3
Notkevich,B2458McShane,L2647½–½2017C4521st European Teams2.3
Bologan,V2615Gelfand,B2737½–½2017B3121st European Teams2.3
Rodshtein,M2699Hamitevici,V25191–02017E1821st European Teams2.3
Morozov,N2467Sutovsky,E26830–12017D8321st European Teams2.3
Nabaty,T2661Macovei,A2328½–½2017A4621st European Teams2.3
Wojtaszek,R2737Nikolaidis,I2519½–½2017D3121st European Teams2.3
Theodorou,N2512Duda,J27060–12017B4821st European Teams2.3
Piorun,K2640Mastrovasilis,A24881–02017B3221st European Teams2.3
Malikentzos,S2434Tomczak,J2583½–½2017A0421st European Teams2.3
Ftacnik,L2546Meier,G26550–12017D0221st European Teams2.3
Bluebaum,M2643Markos,J2559½–½2017E7321st European Teams2.3
Repka,C2470Fridman,D26260–12017D3521st European Teams2.3
Svane,R2595Mazur,S24601–02017E7321st European Teams2.3
Mamedyarov,S2791Ragger,M26591–02017D8521st European Teams2.4
Shengelia,D2556Naiditsch,A27020–12017E5021st European Teams2.4
Mamedov,R2678Dragnev,V24661–02017C4621st European Teams2.4
Diermair,A2488Guseinov,G26470–12017A4021st European Teams2.4
Lenic,L2650Rasmussen,A25421–02017D3821st European Teams2.4
Ochsner,B2458Beliavsky,A25471–02017C8821st European Teams2.4
Pavasovic,D2548Percivaldi,M2388½–½2017C8621st European Teams2.4
Hansen,M2393Skoberne,J25440–12017C1121st European Teams2.4
Nyback,T2572Ferreira,J2499½–½2017E0421st European Teams2.4
Fernandes,A2442Karttunen,M24651–02017E6221st European Teams2.4
Ebeling,D2465Sousa,A2405½–½2017D3921st European Teams2.4
Silva,L2355Niemi,K23241–02017E0421st European Teams2.4
Godart,F2397Pelletier,Y25400–12017D0521st European Teams2.4
Bogner,S2599Beukema,S23780–12017C8421st European Teams2.4
Claesen,P2316Kurmann,O24810–12017A2121st European Teams2.4
Jenni,F2466Dardha,A2279½–½2017A0421st European Teams2.4
Steingrimsson,H2576Mehmeti,D24281–02017A4321st European Teams2.5
Pasko,L2292Gretarsson,H2567½–½2017D3121st European Teams2.5
Stefansson,H2508Ashiku,F23941–02017C7221st European Teams2.5
Seitaj,I2372Kjartansson,G24561–02017B0821st European Teams2.5
Saraci,N2393Djukic,N25190–12017B5121st European Teams2.5
Blagojevic,D2488Makolli,P2333½–½2017E0621st European Teams2.5
Ermeni,A2247Draskovic,L2450½–½2017B2321st European Teams2.5
Kalezic,B2465Sadiku,B22131–02017B2821st European Teams2.5
Pancevski,F2489Hristodoulou,P23181–02017A0021st European Teams2.5
Vlahos,K2306Stojanovski,D2454½–½2017A3421st European Teams2.5
Nikolovski,N2420Naoum,S2295½–½2017B2321st European Teams2.5
Anagnostopoulos,K2290Lazov,T23311–02017E7121st European Teams2.5
Ziska,H2545Tate,A2366½–½2017A0721st European Teams2.5
Berry,N2283Nielsen,H2352½–½2017E0621st European Teams2.5
Nielsen,R2338Morrison,G2278½–½2017B1421st European Teams2.5
Grant,J2179Nilssen,J2326½–½2017A1421st European Teams2.5

Tired of spending hours and hours on the boring theory of your favourite opening? Then here is your solution, play an Anti-Sicilian with 3.Bb5 against 2...d6 or 2...Nc6, and 3.d3 against 2...e6. In 60 minutes you will get a crash course in how to avoid mainstream theory and in understanding the ideas of this Anti-Sicilian setup. After these 60 minutes you should be able to survive the Sicilian for a long time, without being bothered by new developments found by engine x supported by an x-core machine. Now that it finally comes down to understanding, let's play chess!

Women

In the Women's tournament, eight teams, including rating favourites Russian and Georgia, have won both matches, but so far the underdog Israeli team has racked up the most board points. They face a tough test against Poland in Round 3.

Results of Round 2

Team MP Res. : Res. MP Team
Israel 2 3½ : ½ 2 Italy
Czech Republic 2 1½ : 2½ 2 Russia
France 2 ½ : 3½ 2 Georgia
Ukraine 2 3 : 1 2 Armenia
Poland 2 3 : 1 2 Germany
Azerbaijan 2 1½ : 2½ 2 Hungary
Spain 2 3½ : ½ 2 Romania
Turkey 2 2½ : 1½ 2 Netherlands
Greece 1 0 3 : 1 0 England
Austria 0 ½ : 3½ 0 Belarus
Serbia 0 2½ : 1½ 0 Switzerland
Belgium 0 0 : 4 0 Slovenia
Croatia 0 2 : 2 0 Lithuania
Greece 2 0 2 : 2 0 Norway
Montenegro 0 1½ : 2½ 0 FYROM
Slovakia 0 4 : 0 0 Finland

Top ten teams after two rounds

Rk. Team  TB1 
1 Israel 4
2 Georgia 4
3 Spain 4
4 Poland 4
5 Ukraine 4
6 Turkey 4
7 Hungary 4
8 Russia 4
9 Slovenia 2
10 Czech Republic 2

Tiebreak 1: Match points (2 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss)
Tiebreak 2: Team Sonneborn-Berger (minus the lowest result)
Tiebreak 3: Board points

All games (rounds 1 and 2)

 
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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be2 Nf6 7.Be3 Be7 8.f4 d6 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0 Nxd4 11.Qxd4 b6 12.g4 d5 13.e5 Nd7 14.Nb5 Qb8 15.Qd2 Ba6 16.Nd4 Bxe2 17.Qxe2 Re8 18.h4 Bf8 19.g5 Nc5 20.h5 Qb7 21.Kb1 a5 22.g6 fxg6 23.hxg6 h6 24.f5 exf5 25.Bxh6 gxh6 26.Nxf5 Re6 27.g7 Bxg7 28.Rdg1 Ra7 29.Nxg7 Qxg7 30.Rxg7+ Rxg7 31.Qd2 Rg5 32.Qxd5 Rgxe5 33.Qd2 Kh7 34.a3 Ne4 35.Qf4 Ng5 36.Ka2 Rc5 37.Rd1 Kg6 38.Rd8 Rxc2 39.Rg8+ Kh5 40.Rxg5+ hxg5 41.Qf7+ Rg6 42.Qh7+ Rh6 43.Qxc2 g4 44.Qf5+ Kh4 45.Qf2+ Kg5 46.Qe3+ Kh5 47.Kb3 Rg6 48.Qg3 Rc6 49.Ka4 Rc5 50.Qf4 Rg5 51.Qh2+ Kg6 52.Qd6+ Kh5 53.Qxb6 g3 54.Qg1 g2 55.b4 axb4 56.axb4 Rg4 57.Ka5 Kh4 58.b5 Rg5 59.Qh2+ 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Lagno,K2541Botsari,A22871–02017B4721st European Teams Women1.1
Tsolakidou,S2340Gunina,V25021–02017C6521st European Teams Women1.1
Girya,O2505Pavlidou,E21981–02017E1121st European Teams Women1.1
Avramidou,A2257Goryachkina,A2478½–½2017A2221st European Teams Women1.1
Ziaziulkina,N2369Dzagnidze,N25201–02017C1821st European Teams Women1.2
Batsiashvili,N2472Badelka,O2353½–½2017D2521st European Teams Women1.2
Stetsko,L2254Khotenashvili,B24590–12017B0621st European Teams Women1.2
Javakhishvili,L2438Revo,T20971–02017A4821st European Teams Women1.2
Muzychuk,A2576Rapport,J23271–02017B2321st European Teams Women1.3
Eric,J2257Zhukova,N24260–12017C1521st European Teams Women1.3
Ushenina,A2445Zarkovic,M2241½–½2017E1121st European Teams Women1.3
Injac,T2244Osmak,I23391–02017A0421st European Teams Women1.3
Unuk,L2363Zawadzka,J24221–02017D4521st European Teams Women1.4
Szczepkowska,K2406Krivec,J2270½–½2017C4121st European Teams Women1.4
Kaps,D2196Kulon,K23580–12017B2021st European Teams Women1.4
Majdan,J2349Janzelj,L21921–02017C5321st European Teams Women1.4
Paehtz,E2453Repkova,E23231–02017E0621st European Teams Women1.5
Cibickova,Z2290Heinemann,J2269½–½2017C5321st European Teams Women1.5
Hoolt,S2423Vrbova,N21881–02017B3121st European Teams Women1.5
Motycakova,M2143Michna,M2376½–½2017C0521st European Teams Women1.5
Golubenko,V2291Sebag,M24950–12017D1221st European Teams Women1.6
Milliet,S2377Franciskovic,B22421–02017B1221st European Teams Women1.6
Purgar,I2200Collas,S2288½–½2017C7521st European Teams Women1.6
Guichard,P2285Berke,A21541–02017A0421st European Teams Women1.6
Hoang,T2438Houska,J2393½–½2017D3021st European Teams Women1.7
Ciuksyte,D2318Lazarne Vajda,S2364½–½2017C8321st European Teams Women1.7
Gara,A2382Maroroa,S20771–02017C5021st European Teams Women1.7
Kalaiyalahan,A2026Gara,T23170–12017E6921st European Teams Women1.7
Cornette,D2404Mammadzada,G23931–02017B9221st European Teams Women1.8
Mamedjarova,Z2298Zaksaite,S22721–02017A4821st European Teams Women1.8
Kiseleva,S2241Mammadova,G2385½–½2017D1021st European Teams Women1.8
Balajayeva,K2319Gailiunaite,S18381–02017B2221st European Teams Women1.8
Bulmaga,I2423Newrkla,K21701–02017B9021st European Teams Women1.9
Teuschler,B2228Peptan,C23990–12017B4321st European Teams Women1.9
Cosma,E2333Exler,V2118½–½2017D3821st European Teams Women1.9
Schnegg,A2114L'Ami,A2286½–½2017B9121st European Teams Women1.9
Georgescu,L2130Atalik,E2468½–½2017B3021st European Teams Women1.10
Yildiz,B2350Heinatz,G2174½–½2017D9421st European Teams Women1.10
De Seroux,C2163Ozturk,K23640–12017C4721st European Teams Women1.10
Isgandarova,K2242Stoeri,L21501–02017C9621st European Teams Women1.10
Danielian,E2415Makka,I21821–02017A3021st European Teams Women1.11
Makka,E2095Mkrtchian,L2390½–½2017A0521st European Teams Women1.11
Galojan,L2291Serefidou,D19651–02017E5321st European Teams Women1.11
Skaraki,A1992Kursova,M22590–12017B3021st European Teams Women1.11
Sahl,S2180Vega Gutierrez,S24051–02017B3321st European Teams Women1.12
Garcia Martin,M2315Machlik,M20371–02017B1821st European Teams Women1.12
Machlik,E2030Matnadze,A23680–12017D3521st European Teams Women1.12
Delgado Crespo,M2260Kyrkjebo,H1996½–½2017C4721st European Teams Women1.12
Shvayger,Y2442Goossens,H2188½–½2017B9121st European Teams Women1.13
Barbier,W2013Efroimski,M23290–12017B2021st European Teams Women1.13
Gutmakher,O2226Barbier,A18151–02017B2721st European Teams Women1.13
Vanduyfhuys,D1737Lahav,M2213½–½2017A3221st European Teams Women1.13
Stojkovska,M2088Peng,Z2362½–½2017C4121st European Teams Women1.14
Haast,A2288Nikolovska,D18541–02017B7621st European Teams Women1.14
Bejatovic,B2035Lanchava,T23141–02017A4121st European Teams Women1.14
Paulet,I2281Koskoska,G20181–02017B0121st European Teams Women1.14
Zimina,O2394Milovic,A21911–02017A8721st European Teams Women1.15
Stojanovic,M2102Brunello,M23530–12017B9421st European Teams Women1.15
Di Benedetto,D2190Koljevic,N18371–02017D3421st European Teams Women1.15
Delevic,N1745Gueci,T21610–12017A4521st European Teams Women1.15
Dannenberg,A1975Worek,J22990–12017B2521st European Teams Women1.16
Olsarova,K2293Puuska,H19471–02017B4021st European Teams Women1.16
Rinne,H1765Rodshtein,T22330–12017D4721st European Teams Women1.16
Novosadova,K2184Walta,P16721–02017B2721st European Teams Women1.16
Shvayger,Y2442Zimina,O2394½–½2017B1421st European Teams Women2.1
Brunello,M2353Efroimski,M23290–12017C0921st European Teams Women2.1
Klinova,M2289Sedina,E22881–02017C0021st European Teams Women2.1
Di Benedetto,D2190Gutmakher,O22260–12017A4121st European Teams Women2.1
Worek,J2299Kosteniuk,A25520–12017C5021st European Teams Women2.1
Lagno,K2541Havlikova,K22721–02017B4721st European Teams Women2.1
Rodshtein,T2233Girya,O2505½–½2017B1821st European Teams Women2.1
Goryachkina,A2478Novosadova,K21840–12017D8521st European Teams Women2.1
Sebag,M2495Batsiashvili,N24720–12017C8821st European Teams Women2.1
Khotenashvili,B2459Milliet,S23771–02017E1121st European Teams Women2.1
Skripchenko,A2399Javakhishvili,L2438½–½2017B4021st European Teams Women2.1
Melia,S2412Guichard,P22851–02017B0621st European Teams Women2.1
Muzychuk,A2576Danielian,E24151–02017C4221st European Teams Women2.1
Mkrtchian,L2390Zhukova,N2426½–½2017C1121st European Teams Women2.1
Ushenina,A2445Kursova,M2259½–½2017A4621st European Teams Women2.1
Gevorgyan,M2262Gaponenko,I24330–12017B0821st European Teams Women2.1
Socko,M2479Paehtz,E2453½–½2017D1021st European Teams Women2.2
Heinemann,J2269Szczepkowska,K24060–12017C7821st European Teams Women2.2
Kulon,K2358Hoolt,S24231–02017B2021st European Teams Women2.2
Levushkina,E2309Majdan,J2349½–½2017B2221st European Teams Women2.2
Mammadzada,G2393Hoang,T24381–02017C0321st European Teams Women2.2
Lazarne Vajda,S2364Mamedjarova,Z22981–02017A8121st European Teams Women2.2
Fataliyeva,U2348Papp,P23260–12017C4521st European Teams Women2.2
Gara,A2382Mammadova,G2385½–½2017C0521st European Teams Women2.2
Vega Gutierrez,S2405Bulmaga,I24231–02017E9021st European Teams Women2.2
Peptan,C2399Garcia Martin,M23150–12017D3821st European Teams Women2.2
Matnadze,A2368Cosma,E23331–02017A0721st European Teams Women2.2
Sandu,M2278Calzetta Ruiz,M2218½–½2017B5821st European Teams Women2.2
Atalik,E2468Peng,Z23621–02017D2621st European Teams Women2.2
Haast,A2288Yildiz,B2350½–½2017C7721st European Teams Women2.2
Ozturk,K2364Paulet,I22811–02017A5621st European Teams Women2.2
Kazarian,A2191Arda,C20401–02017C0221st European Teams Women2.2
Botsari,A2287Houska,J2393½–½2017D3021st European Teams Women2.3
Ciuksyte,D2318Tsolakidou,S23400–12017A0721st European Teams Women2.3
Pavlidou,E2198Kalaiyalahan,A2026½–½2017E7321st European Teams Women2.3
Bhatia,K2080Avramidou,A22570–12017C0921st European Teams Women2.3
Newrkla,K2170Ziaziulkina,N2369½–½2017B9121st European Teams Women2.3
Badelka,O2353Exler,V21181–02017D3121st European Teams Women2.3
Schnegg,A2114Revo,T20970–12017B9121st European Teams Women2.3
Ilyuchyk,Y1992Novkovic,J21111–02017C4521st European Teams Women2.3
Rapport,J2327Georgescu,L21301–02017D2521st European Teams Women2.3
Heinatz,G2174Eric,J22570–12017A4821st European Teams Women2.3
Zarkovic,M2241De Seroux,C21630–12017B6321st European Teams Women2.3
Stoeri,L2150Injac,T2244½–½2017C0321st European Teams Women2.3
Goossens,H2188Unuk,L23630–12017C5521st European Teams Women2.3
Krivec,J2270Vanhuyse,N20611–02017B2321st European Teams Women2.3
Barbier,A1815Janzelj,L21920–12017C7721st European Teams Women2.3
Vidic,T2159Vanduyfhuys,D17371–02017B3221st European Teams Women2.3
Golubenko,V2291Cornette,D24040–12017E6021st European Teams Women2.1
Zaksaite,S2272Franciskovic,B22421–02017B1221st European Teams Women2.1
Purgar,I2200Kiseleva,S22411–02017B3421st European Teams Women2.1
Gailiunaite,S1838Cvitan,E21650–12017E3521st European Teams Women2.1
Makka,I2182Sahl,S21800–12017B3921st European Teams Women2.1
Machlik,E2030Makka,E20951–02017D3521st European Teams Women2.1
Serefidou,D1965Kyrkjebo,H19961–02017C4521st European Teams Women2.1
Rodsmoen,M1972Vozinaki,A19890–12017B4821st European Teams Women2.1
Milovic,A2191Stojkovska,M20880–12017C1521st European Teams Women2.1
Nikolovska,D1854Stojanovic,M21020–12017C0021st European Teams Women2.1
Koljevic,N1837Bejatovic,B2035½–½2017C4221st European Teams Women2.1
Koskoska,G2018Delevic,N17451–02017B0621st European Teams Women2.1
Cibickova,Z2290Dannenberg,A19751–02017B0121st European Teams Women2.1
Puuska,H1947Vrbova,N21880–12017D0421st European Teams Women2.1
Motycakova,M2143Rinne,H17651–02017B0621st European Teams Women2.1
Walta,P1672Vrtiakova,A19940–12017B2221st European Teams Women2.1

The Sicilian has been known for decades as the most reliable way for Black to obtain an unbalanced but good position. Among the most popular Sicilians at the top level the two that certainly stand out are the Najdorf and the Paulsen.

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