3/13/2019 – Russia defended its lead at the World Team Championship in Astana with a narrow 2.5: 1.5 win over the USA. In the women's tournament, the Chinese were able to extend their lead to three points as Russia scored a point against Ukraine. | Photos: David Llada
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China increases lead in Women’s
Before today's seventh round in Astana, the Russian team led the Open section by a single match point over India and England — not necessarily a big margin for error. On Tuesday they faced the US team, but with the top seven players absent from the American squad the only thing they have in common with the team that won the Baku Olympiad in 2016 is the flag and captian IM John Donaldson. Nevertheless, the USA has performed remarkably well and was ahead of China and Azerbaijan — the latter also without their best.
The match between Russia and the USA ended as expected, also the result was close.
Russia vs USA
Dariusz Swiercz had no trouble drawing his White game with Ian Nepomniachtchi, as did Alex Lenderman against Dmitry Andreikin. That left Sam Sevian and Zviad Izoria trying to hold off Alexander Grischuk and Vladislav Artemiev for the crucial point swing. In the queenless middlegame Artemiev was able to set a devilish trap.
With the slick tactic 18.♖xd6 White gained a clear advantage. There followed 18...♚xd619.e5 ♚xe5 20.♗f4+ ♚f5 21.♗c2 and now Black had to return material with 21...♞e4. That was all Artemiev needed for a clean technical conversion.
The Azerbaijan team sans Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Teimour Radjabov nicked Russia for a point with a draw in round six, and in the seventh all four games ended in draws.
So England remains the closest pursuer to the Russian team after their narrow victory over Egypt. Michael Adams lost to Bassem Amin, the African Champion, on the first board, but Luke McShane and Gawain Jones "did the business" for England. They are certainly faring a lot better than the Theresa May who suffered another humiliating defeat in British politics today.
This looks like the sort of position in which Adams excels, and White stands better after Bb5. But Adams went for the queen sortie 29.♕h6?, with the threat of 30.♖xe4 and 31.♘g5. But he overlooked the cool counterpunch 29...g5 when the queen is suddenly surrounded. After 30.♕h5 ♞f6, Adams had to give a piece with 31.♕xf7 and it was all down hill from there.
Amin and Adams
The English captain Malcolm Pein remains cautious as to their chances of medal
The Chinese are far from their best form in Astana and even their victory against Sweden looks weak at 2½:1½. Match winner was Ni Hua against Linus Johansson, who has lost four games in the past week. Ni's queen's fancy footwork was the difference in this one, as it proved strong for Johansson's pair of rooks.
Ni Hua labours alone | Photo: David Llada
Iran also prevailed against Kazakhstan with a 2½:1½.
In the women's competition, the Chinese team increased their lead to three points with a 4-0 seep over Egypt, as Russia could only draw against Ukraine.
Russia vs Ukraine
Most of the action was on the boards of the Muzychuk sisters. Mariya Muzychuk scored for Ukraine against Kateryna Lagno, but Alexandra Kosteniuk made up for it with a win for Russia over Anna Muzychuk.
The World Championship finalist's sense of danger failed her with 24...♛e7? and was swiftly punished 25.♗xh7 d4 (there's nothing better) 26.♖e1 and Lagno had to part with her queen.
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