Euro Teams: Russian women grab title with a round to spare

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
11/21/2021 – An eighth win in as many matches gave Russia tournament victory at the women’s section of the European Team Championships with a round to spare. This is Russia’s fourth consecutive title and the seventh in the last eight events. Meanwhile, in the open section, four teams go into the final round tied for first place — Armenia, France, Azerbaijan and Ukraine. | Photos: Mark Livshitz
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A fourth title in a row

There was no stopping the Russian women’s team at the European Team Championships in Slovenia. The clear rating favourites won all eight of their matches so far to grab their fourth consecutive title with a round to spare. Moreover, the Russians have won seven out of the last eight European events, getting silver medals the one time they did not win the event, in 2013.

In a commanding performance, the champs scored 26½/32 board points, losing only one individual game throughout the event. All five representatives had great tournaments, with Polina Shuvalova (6½/7) and Alina Kashlinskaya (5½/6) the highest scorers of the squad.

Three out of the five Russian players were part of the team in all four tournaments they won consecutively — Aleksandra Goryachkina, Kateryna Lagno and Valentina Gunina.

Kateryna Lagno

Kateryna Lagno

In round 8, Russia scored a 3-1 victory over Ukraine, with wins by Gunina and Kashlinskaya on boards 2 and 4 respectively. In a long game full of ups and downs, Kashlinskaya defeated Inna Gaponenko with the white pieces. The Russian had to work hard to get a 79-move win, after missing a chance to get the work done much earlier.

 
Kashlinskaya vs. Gaponenko

The natural attacking move 39.Qf8 is winning here, threatening mate on h8. With the time control approaching though, Kashlinskaya most likely decided to avoid a potential perpetual check by Black, which might have arisen after 39...Qd1+ 40.Kh2 Nf3+. She missed that the white king can escape with 41.Kg3 (not 41.gxf3)

 
Analysis diagram

Now Black runs out of checks after 41...Qe1+ 42.Kxf3 Qd1+ 43.Kg3 Qe1+ 44.Kh2.

On the first diagram, the Russian played 39.Ra8, which led to an equal position according to the engines. It was never going to be easy for Black, however, and Gaponenko could not find the machine-like defensive manoeuvres needed to keep the balance.

European Team Chess Championships 2021

Board 4 is somewhat socially distanced at the playing hall in Terme Čatež

Round 8 also saw Georgia beating Greece by a 3½-½ score, which secured them second place with a round to spare. Below the favourites, however, no fewer than seven teams are tied on 10 points, so we expect to see a tense fight for bronze on Sunday, with the squads keeping an eye on neighbouring boards to adjust their play appropriately.

Standings after round 8

Rk. Team  TB1 
1 Russia 16
2 Georgia 13
3 Poland 10
4 Azerbaijan 10
5 Ukraine 10
6 France 10
7 Netherlands 10
8 Hungary 10
9 Greece 10
10 Serbia 9
11 Slovakia 9
12 Germany 9
13 Lithuania 9
14 Italy 8
15 Armenia 8

...31 teams

All games - Round 8

 
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1.e4 3 e5 21 2.Nf3 9 Nc6 7 3.Bb5 11 Nf6 17 4.0-0 0 Nxe4 36 5.d4 17 Nd6 23 6.Bxc6 14 dxc6 8 7.dxe5 5 Nf5 7 8.Qxd8+ 24 Kxd8 7 9.h3 0 Ke8 4:10 10.Nc3 46 h5 39 11.Bf4 5:48 Be7 21 12.Rad1 1:12 Nh4 2:30 13.Nd4 4:57 Nf5 1:06 14.Nf3 0 Nh4 48 15.Nd4 51 Nf5 23 16.Nce2 51 g5 1:34 17.Bh2 12 Rh6 1:45 18.Nxf5 4:22 Bxf5 7 19.Nd4 17 Bd7 5:11 20.f4 4:53 gxf4 0 21.Bxf4 44 Rg6 2:05 22.e6 5:54 Bxe6 6:15 23.Nxe6 22 fxe6 2:13 24.Bxc7 1:10 Rc8 1:33 25.Be5 4:11 Rd8 0 26.Rxd8+ 3:58 Bxd8 34 27.Bd4 2:48 a6 5:48 28.Bc5 8:44 Be7 54 29.Bxe7 48 Kxe7 5 30.Rf4 28 Rg5 0 31.Kf2 31 Rb5 9:53 32.b3 1:18 Ra5 3:22 33.a4 35 Rc5 1:07 34.Rc4 0 Rf5+ 5:15 35.Ke3 3:32 Re5+ 5:35 36.Re4 3:42 Rg5 8:39 37.g4 44 hxg4 36 38.hxg4 6:24 Kf6 1:22 39.Rf4+ 3:55 Ke7 3:20 40.Kf3 2:51 e5 0 41.Re4 34:44 Ke6 31:51 42.Re2 7:24 Rg7 2:23 43.Rg2 3:09 a5 5:34 44.Ke4 0 Rg5 54 45.Kf3 5:39 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Muzychuk,A2533Goryachkina,A2604½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.1
Lagno,K2550Osmak,I24231–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.2
Buksa,N2410Shuvalova,P2515½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.3
Kashlinskaya,A2482Gaponenko,I23391–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.4
Tsolakidou,S2377Dzagnidze,N25240–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.5
Javakhishvili,L2446Avramidou,A22171–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.6
Pavlidou,E2172Arabidze,M24410–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.7
Melia,S2371Christodoulaki,A2075½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.8
Peng,Z2351Zawadzka,J2429½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.9
Cyfka,K2416Roebers,E23041–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.10
Ratsma,R2272Kiolbasa,O2403½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.11
Kulon,K2328Van Foreest,M21410–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.12
Lazarne Vajda,S2345Mammadzada,G2459½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.13
Mammadova,G2395Gara,T2331½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.14
Gaal,Z2336Balajayeva,K23691–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.15
Beydullayeva,G2278Mihok-Juhasz,B22581–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.16
Sebag,M2447Bulmaga,I24051–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.17
Peptan,C2385Guichard,P2409½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.18
Milliet,S2418Cosma,E22811–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.19
Sandu,M2244Navrotescu,A22101–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.20
Zaksaite,S2250Danielian,E24500–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.21
Mkrtchian,L2379Baginskaite,K2100½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.22
Simkunaite,G1962Sargsyan,A23851–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.23
Ghukasyan,S2168Sibajeva,M1946½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.24
Paehtz,E2485Atalik,E2430½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.25
Caglar,S2250Heinemann,J23360–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.26
Klek,H2343Kocyigit,B20341–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.27
Aydin,G2114Lubbe,M23110–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.28
Injac,T2387Hapala,E21391–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.29
Teuschler,B2115Eric,J2253½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.30
Manakova,M2289Froewis,A20791–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.31
Mayrhuber,N2091Gajcin,M21980–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.32
Pilsova,K2281Brunello,M2359½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.33
Zimina,O2339Petrova,K2275½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.34
Miturova,M2248Gueci,T2242½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.35
Movileanu,D2214Nemcova,K2169½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.36
Unuk,L2353Repkova,E23071–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.37
Hagarova,Z2292Urh,Z23321–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.38
Janzelj,L2150Sucikova,S2197½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.39
Mrvova,A2174Rozman,M21121–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.40
Vega Gutierrez,S2394Shvayger,Y23510–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.41
Shapir,M2256Garcia Martin,M23240–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.42
Matnadze,A2418Levitan,R20681–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.43
Katkov,M2059Calzetta Ruiz,M2201½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.44
Cramling,P2457Hrescak,I21381–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.45
Kolaric,S2178Andric,J20411–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.46
Zaritovskaja,M2040Ruzic,P20491–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.47
Mihelic,V1912Cramling Bellon,A2035½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.48
Cvitan,E2234Stojkovska,M2066½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.49
Trajkovska,S1960Medic,M21960–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.50
Berke,A2135Nikolovska,D18771–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.51
Manova,I1809Vujnovic,P21510–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.52
Goossens,H2126Ptacnikova,L22001–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.53
Thorsteinsdottir,H2010Barbier,W19641–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.54
Vanduyfhuys,D1933Acevedo Mendez,L18030–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.55
Hauksdottir,H1731Barbier,A1915½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.56
Dolzhikova,O2187Toma,K22610–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.57
Emelianova,M2113Machlik,M20960–1202123rd ETCC Women 20218.58
Machlik,E2087Bayat,S2091½–½202123rd ETCC Women 20218.59
Varney,Z1955Rodsmoen,M19531–0202123rd ETCC Women 20218.60

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France beat Russia, join the lead

The man of the hour, 18-year-old Alireza Firouzja, is not only having a great tournament himself, but thanks to a French victory over Russia in round 8, he might also help his new team to get medals in Slovenia — Firouzja has been representing France since July this year. 

After scoring five consecutive wins to reach an incredible 2798.9 live rating, the Iranian-born grandmaster drew Alexander Grischuk from the black side of a Ruy Lopez. His teammates Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Etienne Bacrot also drew on boards 2 and 3, while Maxime Lagarde got the all-important full point in his white game against Andrey Esipenko.

 
Lagarde vs. Esipenko

Black needs to be very accurate here to keep the balance. However, instead of the correct 35...Qg5, gaining a key tempo against the rook on c1, Esipenko played 35...Qe6, which allowed an immediate 36.c7 — there followed 36...Qc6 37.Qe5

 

This position is already winning for White, although the way to convert it is by no means trivial. Lagarde managed to find the right path, getting the win that allowed France to join the lead with one round to go.

Alexander Grischuk, Alireza Firouzja

Russia versus France

Azerbaijan and Ukraine, which were sharing the lead after round 7, signed four quick draws on Saturday. Besides France, they were also joined in first place by Armenia — the 3-time Olympic champions obtained a commanding 3½-½ victory over Serbia.

In Sunday’s last round, France will face Azerbaijan and Ukraine will play Armenia. Thus, potentially we will get to see a sharp struggle between Firouzja and the ever-fighting Shakhriyar Mamedyarov!

Standings after round 8

Rk. Team  TB1 
1 Armenia 12
2 France 12
3 Azerbaijan 12
4 Ukraine 12
5 Spain 11
6 Netherlands 11
7 Poland 11
8 Russia 10
9 Georgia 10
10 Serbia 10
11 Greece 10
12 England 10
13 Turkey 9
14 Germany 9
15 Israel 9

...39 teams

All games - Round 8

 
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1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 0-0 8.Rc1 dxc4 9.Bxc4 c5 D38: Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defence (4 Nf3 Bb4). 10.Qb3 cxd4 11.Qxb4 Nc6 The position is equal. 12.Ne4 Nxb4 13.Nxf6+ gxf6 14.Nxd4 e5 15.Nc2 Nxc2+ 16.Rxc2 Bf5 17.Rc1
17...Rac8N Predecessor: 17...Rfc8 18.Ke2 1/2-1/2 (18) Medina,M (2308)-Engelen,J (2381) ICCF email 2018 18.Ke2 Rfd8
... Rxc4! is the strong threat. 19.Rhd1 Rxd1 20.Kxd1= KRB-KRB Rd8+ 21.Ke2 Rc8 22.Kd1 Rd8+ 23.Ke2 Rc8
aiming for ...b5! 24.Kd1 Rd8+ 25.Ke2 An uneventful encounter. Weighted Error Value: White=0.05/Black=0.01 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Radjabov,T2763Korobov,A2684½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.1
Volokitin,A2656Mamedov,R2673½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.2
Guseinov,G2665Kuzubov,Y2637½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.3
Shevchenko,K2647Abasov,N2634½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.4
Grischuk,A2773Firouzja,A2770½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.5
Vachier-Lagrave,M2766Dubov,D2714½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.6
Alekseenko,K2710Bacrot,E2647½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.7
Lagarde,M2647Esipenko,A27131–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.8
Duda,J2756Shirov,A2673½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.9
Anton Guijarro,D2669Wojtaszek,R2700½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.10
Piorun,K2634Santos Latasa,J2633½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.11
Salgado Lopez,I2609Moranda,W2623½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.12
Sargissian,G2664Indjic,A2612½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.13
Ivanisevic,I2604Martirosyan,H26240–1202123rd ETCC Open 20218.14
Hovhannisyan,R2622Markus,R26091–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.15
Perunovic,M2541Ter-Sahakyan,S26150–1202123rd ETCC Open 20218.16
Erdos,V2615Giri,A2774½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.17
Van Foreest,L2532Berkes,F26761–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.18
Gledura,B2635Van Foreest,J2701½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.19
Warmerdam,M2608Kantor,G2566½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.20
McShane,L2667Andersen,M2575½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.21
Thybo,J2604Jones,G26540–1202123rd ETCC Open 20218.22
Howell,D2648Bjerre,J2569½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.23
Hansen,S2543Haria,R2497½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.24
Mastrovasilis,D2619Deac,B2651½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.25
Lupulescu,C2624Pavlidis,A25361–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.26
Kourkoulos-Arditis,S2524Jianu,V25221–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.27
Gavrilescu,D2514Kelires,A25350–1202123rd ETCC Open 20218.28
Christiansen,J2582Jobava,B25821–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.29
Sanikidze,T2458Urkedal,F25691–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.30
Hauge,L2490Paichadze,L25510–1202123rd ETCC Open 20218.31
Pantsulaia,L2571Notkevich,B2471½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.32
Nisipeanu,L2651Bogner,S2574½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.33
Pelletier,Y2564Donchenko,A2645½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.34
Keymer,V2639Georgiadis,N25531–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.35
Kurmann,O2458Svane,R2628½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.36
Lenic,L2633Nabaty,T2649½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.37
Smirin,I2616Borisek,J25951–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.38
Skoberne,J2562Postny,E2557½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.39
Boruchovsky,A2542Janzelj,T24741–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.40
Vocaturo,D2632Yilmaz,M2626½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.41
Dastan,M2572Moroni,L2580½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.42
Dastan,M2572Moroni,L2580202123rd ETCC Open 20218.42
Sonis,F2536Can,E2570½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.43
Sanal,V2590Lodici,L25291–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.44
Navara,D2699Gretarsson,H25741–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.45
Stefansson,H2519Nguyen,T2594½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.46
Zilka,S2593Hjartarson,J24831–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.47
Kjartansson,G2443Plat,V2548½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.48
Grandelius,N2669Saric,I2665½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.49
Brkic,A2599Hillarp Persson,T25281–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.50
Blomqvist,E2542Stevic,H2581½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.51
Martinovic,S2542Seo,J2455½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.52
Agopov,M2430Ragger,M2668½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.53
Dragnev,V2548Koykka,P23531–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.54
Nyysti,S2325Shengelia,D2513½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.55
Horvath,D2469Ronka,E23211–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.56
Subelj,J2458Pechac,J2562½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.57
Druska,J2508Dobrovoljc,V24141–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.58
Brilej,J2341Petenyi,T2458½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.59
Sahidi,S2432Stevanic,D23181–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.60
Laurusas,T2553Kanyamarala,T23211–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.61
Jessel,S2297Kazakouski,V24900–1202123rd ETCC Open 20218.62
Klabis,R2353Nemeth,Z21631–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.63
Kanyamarala,T2089Brazdzionis,A23560–1202123rd ETCC Open 20218.64
Pancevski,F2490Dardha,D2525½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.65
Docx,S2432Nikolovski,N2401½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.66
Risteski,E2315Verstraeten,R23861–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.67
Hovhannisyan,M2419Mihov,F22551–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.68
Tate,A2342Mehmeti,D2391½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.69
Pasko,L2417Bremner,A22041–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.70
Muir,A2254Ashiku,F24190–1202123rd ETCC Open 20218.71
Seitaj,I2351Morrison,G22511–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.72
Saraci,N2486Toczek,G22961–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.73
Pleasants,A2001Uruci,E23221–0202123rd ETCC Open 20218.74
Makolli,P2245Garcia,J2028½–½202123rd ETCC Open 20218.75
Davis,L1972Saraci,K21490–1202123rd ETCC Open 20218.76

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Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.

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