Women's World Team Ch: China is gold, Russia is silver, Georgia is bronze

The Women's World Chess Team Championship is being held from December 17th to the 28th in Mardin, Turkey.

A satellite view of Mardin, Turkey
View Larger Map 

Ten teams of five players (four plus one reserve) will compete in a round-robin Scheveningen competition except on the scheduled rest day on December 23rd. The games are played at 40 moves in 90 minutes followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment as of move one. All rounds start at 3 PM local time (8 AM NY / 2 PM Paris) except round nine played at 10 AM (3 AM NY / 9 AM Paris). Tiebreaks are decided by game points, individual encounter, Berger, and then the Berlin system.

Women's World Chess Team Championship

Round eight

Ukraine's victory over China was a valiant effort, but ultimately insufficient to threaten
the Chinese gold medal.

In the penultimate round of the championship the Ukrainian players pulled off a coup by beating the Chinese in a tough match by 2.5-1.5. Natalia Zhukova beat Zhao Xue on board three with the rest of the games ending in draws. It was the first match in which China dropped a point, but it made little difference as they were assured of gold a round in advance!

It was a golden opportunity for India, but they were unable to make the most of the chance

The reason is that India, who had been trailing China by the slimmest of margins, lost to Georgia 1-3. The first two boards drew, while Bela Khotenashvili won against Tania Sachdev and Nino Khurtsidze outplayed Soumya Swaminathan.

Alexandra Kosteniuk filled in on second board in round eight, beside Nadezhda Kosintseva

Russian coach Yuri Dokhoyan beside the lovely Tatiana Kosintseva

Russia won 4-0 against RSA and leapfrogged India to second place, though they can no longer overtake China as China’s tiebreak is superior even should they draw even. 

The ravenous spectators panting for blood

Round nine

The Russian team was quick to secure a draw, guaranteeing silver

The final round was anything but a formality. The Russian team were the only ones to secure their medals with a quick draw against Armenia. 

The most dramatic encounter was China – India. The Indians had to beat the Chinese in order to pass Russia, or hold a draw to take bronze. Instead a third and disastrous option took place, and they not only lost to the Chinese but were evicted from the podium in the process.

This was not a quick shake of the hands to draw, but...

...the beginning of disastrous result for the Indian team, who had been contenders for
gold until round eight.

Hou Yifan and Humpy Koneru played their game out, but the balance was never threatened. The only game to end in a decisive result was Zhao Xue’s win over Tania Sachdev, after the Indian misstepped in a sacrifice for a perpetual, and let the Chinese player escape from the draw.

Georgia's 3-1 victory over Turkey was essential in procuring them the bronze

As a result, Russia won silver, and Georgia, who beat Turkey 3-1, took the bronze.

The Vietnamese denied Ukraine the bronze by holding them to a draw

Another candidate for bronze had been Ukraine but due to their inability to beat Vietnam, they had to content themselves with a tie for 4th with India. 

Greece crushed RSA 4-0 to finish 8th

Pictures by FIDE and the Turkish Chess Federation

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client and get immediate access. Or you can get our latest Fritz 13 program, which includes six months free premium membership to Playchess.

Copyright ChessBase