Ukraine Still Perfect at World Teams
Ukraine tops the standings after three rounds at the World Team Championship in Kemer, Antalya (Turkey). After beating Azerbaijan 2.5-1.5, the team with Ivanchuk, Korobov, Moiseenko, Kryvoruchko and Areshchenko is the only one left with a perfect score. Armenia follows with one match point less.
Before we get to the third round, let's look at a few key games from round 1 and 2 which weren't mentioned here yet. For example, in the first round the big clash Armenia-Russia ended in four draws and on top board this match saw the game between the world's number 2 and 3! Here is that fascinating fight in the Botvinnik Semi-Slav with some brief notes by IMs Merijn van Delft and Robert Ris from CVO 256.
And here's another high-profile game from the same round; Ivanchuk's answer to Nakamura's Berlin was a transposition into a Spanish Four Knights.
After their big success against Russia, the USA went down 1.5-2.5 against Armenia the next day, in round 3. Kamsky-Movesian, Akopian-Onischuk and Akobian-Sargissan were all drawn, and so it was all about what happened on board one.
Ukraine won its third match in a row, against Azerbaijan. Ivanchuk and Mamedov drew a fascinating King's Indian, Petrosian Variation:
Moiseenko defeated Durarbayli, whose frivolous sacrifice in the opening didn't have the desired effect:
China-Russia was another hard-fought battle; only Wang Yue-Karjakin was drawn quickly. Nepomniachtchi scored the only (lucky) win:
Kramnik tried for long to win an ending against Li Chao, but the Chinese number 5 did a good job on top board:
The Netherlands finally got their first two match points thanks to Giri's excellent win over Khenkin.
World Teams 2013 | Round 3 standings
| Rank | Team | Gam. | + | = | - | MP | Pts. |
| 1 | Ukraine | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7½ | ||
| 2 | Armenia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7½ | |
| 3 | Azerbaijan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| 4 | Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| 5 | Russia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5½ |
| 6 | United States of America | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
| 7 | China | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5½ | |
| 8 | Netherlands | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| 9 | Turkey | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| 10 | Egypt | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
The FIDE World Team Championship is held every two years. It's taking place 26 November - 5 December in Kemer, Antalya (Turkey). It's a single round robin among ten teams.
