The second round of the European Team Chess Championship was played yesterday in Creta Maris resort in Greece.
All the top players who sat out from the opening round have entered the arena, Aronian Levon (ARM, 2801), Mamedyarov Shakhriyar (AZE, 2791), Grischuk Alexander (RUS, 2785), Gelfand Boris (ISR, 2737), Wojtaszek Radoslaw (POL, 2737), Adams Michael (ENG, 2727), Eljanov Pavel (UKR, 2720), Jobava Baadur (GEO, 2705) and Leko Peter (HUN, 2679).
Levon Aronian (ARM, 2801) made his debut in Crete taking the top board for Armenia who played against hosts Greece. Sargassian Gabriel (ARM, 2657) was the first one who scored for Armenia and shortly later Aronian Levon took the victory and brought the leading result of 2:0 to his team. Movsesian Sergei (ARM, 2671) got stumbled and lost against Pavlidis Antonios (GRE, 2546), but Armenia celebrated when Melkumyan Hrant (AZE, 2642) saved the ending with two pawns less.
Italy surprised again thanks to Sabino Brunello (ITA, 2555) who was the architect of another success for Italy, this time in the encounter with Turkey.
Among the top tables in the Open section, the most effective was Hungary defeating the neighboring Romania with a result 3,5-0,5. The only draw was played on the top board game between Lupulescu Constantin (ROU, 2620) and Leko Peter (HUN, 2679).
Other decisive matches were concluded by narrow margin 2,5-1,5. Netherlands beat the higher rated Ukraine team thanks to Anish Giri (NED, 2762) and his effort on the top board. Czech Republic won against Georgia. Defending champion, Russia, defeated Belarus thanks to reigning European individual champion Maxim Matlakov (RUS, 2730), since the other games ended in a draw. Ivan Saric (CRO, 2662) brought the match points to Croatia in the neighbor clash against Serbia.
Top round 3 pairings are: Hungary – Netherlands, Czech Republic – Russia, Croatia – Armenia and Italy – Germany.
All the pairings and results can be found here.
After the first round without surprises, women continued with the same path. Only two matches ended with a tie score in the second round, while all the others were decisive and the victories were taken by the favourites.
Several crushing victories were recorded in the Women’s section. Israel beat Italy with a result 3.5-0.5 and he only one who withstood was Zimina Olga (ITA, 2394). Georgia defeated France with the same score, as well as Spain celebrated against the higher rated Romania.
Russia won against Czech Republic with a result 2.5-1.5 thanks to the victories of Kosteniuk Alexandra (RUS, 2552) and Lagno Kateryna (RUS, 2541). Girya Olga (RUS, 2505) couldn’t break Rodshtein Tereza (2233) and the game ended peaceful with draw. Novosadova Krisryna (CZE, 2186) surprised with a triumph against Goryachkina Aleksandra (RUS, 2478).
Hungary triumphed versus Azerbaijan with the same result of 2.5-1.5 as well as Turkey against Netherlands.
Ukraine and Poland walked past by Armenia and Germany, respectively, scoring 3-1 each.
Top round 3 pairings are Poland – Israel, Georgia – Hungary, Turkey – Spain and Russia – Ukraine.
All the pairings and results can be found here.
The third round starts today at 15:00 local time and all the games are live transmitted. Live broadcast, live commentary and the stream from the beautiful playing venue can be followed through the official website of the Championship or through the ECU website, section LIVE.
