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The dominant Russian team gave up a match point in a sixth round split decision against Azerbaijan 2:2 in Astana on Monday. However, Russia are still leading the field with a single point separating them from both India and England. The Azerbaijani squad are without their top players Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Teimour Radjabov and so are lead by Arkadij Naiditsch on top board.
With a win over Sergey Karjakin, Naiditsch secured the draw, compensating for the loss the suffered by Rauf Mamedov against Ian Nepomniachtchi. The remaining two games ended in draws.
The top boards in Russia vs Azerbaijan | Photo: David Llada
A study-like position. Black sacrificed the exchange on c3 with 29...♜xe4 and gained counterplay after 30.♘xc3 ♝e5+ 31.♔f2 ♜f4+ 31.♔e2 dxc3. 30.♔f2 was probably a better choice.
Naiditsch himself considered the sacrifice incorrect after the game:
A Classical Guide to the French Defence
This DVD gives you the key to start out with the French Defence. GM Yannick Pelletier is a specialist of this opening, and believes that the most efficient way to understand its ideas, plans, and typical structures is to study classical lines.
India scored well with a 3½:½ victory against the hosts from Kazakhstan and has even outperformed Russia in the board standings.
Power Play 20: Test Your Attacking Chess
Grandmaster Daniel King presents ten exemplary attacking performances. At key moments he stops and asks you to play a move. King then gives feedback on the most plausible continuations. It’s the next best thing to having your own personal trainer!
England celebrated a 3:1 victory over Iran, despite an early loss from Jon Speelman, who was crushed by Alireza Firouzja. The final king walk from the Iranian is truly a sight to behold.
But England battled back with wins on the top three boards including Micky Adams' smooth refutation of an overly ambitious try from World Junior Champ Parham Maghsoodloo:
40.h4? The last move of the time control. Adams was suddenly winning after 40...Qg3+ as White's position collapses rapidly. In true Adams style, he avoided complications as much as possible, guiding the position into a technical queen ending up two pawns.
Adams in his team jacket, Maghsoodloo in his trademark sleeveless | Photo: David Llada
1-0 down 3-1 up! epic win for @ecfchess vs Iran @GMGawain on the sick list failed late fitness test kudos and thanks to JSpeelman for stepping in then superb wins for @DavidHowellGM Luke McShane @MickeyAdamsGM #WTCC2019 was a day to remember now a few beers and refocus
— Malcolm Pein (@TelegraphChess) March 11, 2019
The purpose of this DVD is to explain the viewer all main methods of defence: exchanging pieces, creating a fortress, eliminating dangerous enemy pieces, escaping the danger zone with the king, improving the position of the pieces.
The underperforming team from China had to settle for a draw with Egypt — 2:2 — as Wei Yi was defeated by Ahmed Adly.
White threatened here with 37.♖g7 and 38.♖d8 in the air, but after 36...♝e5 the air was out of the position and Black's h-pawn decided the game.
Adly analysed the game with Yannick Pelletier afterwards:
The Hedgehog - a universal system against 1.c4 and 1.Nf3
At first glance, the Hedgehog setup might appear somewhat passive but in fact Black is always waiting to launch a counterattack. Let Yannick Pelletier provide you with a complete repertoire against the English and the Reti!
For Egypt, this was the first point scored in the tournament. For the Chinese, with their 6 match points they are still behind the USA in the standings, despite the latter starting with a far weaker squad.
| Rk. | Team | Games | + | = | - | TB1 | TB2 |
| 1 | Russia | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 15,0 |
| 2 | India | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 16,5 |
| 3 | England | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 14,0 |
| 4 | United States of America | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 14,0 |
| 5 | China | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 13,0 |
| 6 | Iran | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12,5 |
| 7 | Azerbaijan | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 10,0 |
| 8 | Kazakhstan | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 10,0 |
| 9 | Sweden | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8,0 |
| 10 | Egypt | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 7,0 |
In the Women's section, the leaders from China emerged with a 2½:1½ victory over India. Russia, in pursuit, earned the same result against the USA.
Abrahamyan vs Lagno | Photo: David Llada
Ukraine also prevailed against Armenia with the same score. Here Anna Muzychuk was the key winner against Lilit Mkrtchian. A closely contested match was the Kazakh team's win over the Hungary. In too ended with a score of 2½:1½ in favour of the hosts.
Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kazakhstan) is determined | Photo: David Llada
| Rk. | Team | TB1 | TB2 |
| 1 | China | 12 | 16,0 |
| 2 | Russia | 10 | 18,0 |
| 3 | Ukraine | 9 | 15,5 |
| 4 | Georgia | 8 | 15,5 |
| 5 | India | 6 | 12,5 |
| 6 | Kazakhstan | 6 | 11,5 |
| 7 | United States of America | 5 | 11,5 |
| 8 | Armenia | 2 | 10,0 |
| 9 | Hungary | 2 | 7,5 |
| 10 | Egypt | 0 | 2,0 |
Translation from German and additional reporting: Macauley Peterson
