The field is heating up at European Chess Club Cup 2015 in Skopje, after 5 rounds played. In the top encounter on the 1st board Siberia defeated the defending Champion SOCAR with the minimum score, emerging as the sole leader with all 5 victories. The crucial wins for the Russian team brought Vladimir Kramnik on the first board against Veselin Toplalov, and Alexander Grischuk against Fabiano Caruana on the third board. The victory of Michael Adams against Li Chao was not enough for SOCAR, as the remaining games were drawn.
Peter Leko brought the victory to Obiettivo Risarcimento Padova against the domestic team Alkaloid by defeating Vassily Ivanchuk on the 1st board for 3.5-2.5 for the Italians.
Mednyi Vsadnik was convincing against Schachgesellschaft Zurich with 4.5-1.5, while Novy Bor outplayed Norwegain Oslo Schakselskap with 6-0.
Standings after 5 rounds:
1 Siberia (RUS) 10 match points
2-9 AVE Novy Bor (CZE), SOCAR (AZE), SHSM Legacy Square (RUS), Alkaloid (FYRM), Mednyi Vsadnik (RUS), Obiettivo Risarcimento Padova (ITA), Beer-Sheva (ISR) and Odlar Yurdu (AZE) 8 match points, etc.
Top round 6 pairings:
Alkaloid vs Siberia, Socar vs Novy Bor, Shsm vs Padova, Odlar Yurdu vs Mednyi Vsadnik, Cheddleton vs Beer-Sheva, etc.
In Women’s section Nona is confidently heading towards the second title. In the 5th round Georgian ladies allowed only half point to Dutch team De Stukkenjagers.
Gambit Asseko SEE defeated Russian SHSM Legacy Square with 3-1, while Ugra was better than Sainkt Petersburg with 3.5-0.5.
Standings after 5 rounds:
1 Nona (GEO) 10 match points
2 Gambit Asseko SEE (FYRM) 8 match points
3 Ugra (RUS) 7 match points
4 Bossa Nova (BLR) 6 match points
5-6 SHSM Legacy Square (RUS) and ASD Circolo Scacchi R.Fischer Chieti (ITA) 5 match points, etc.
Round 6 pairings:
SPB vs Nona, Rishon Lezion vs Gambit Asseko SEE, Ugra vs Midland Monarchs, Herzliya Chess Club vs Bossa Nova, SHSM Legacy Square vs De Stukkenjagers and ASD Circolo Scacchi R.Fischer Chieti vs Oslo Schakselskap.
Round 6 is scheduled on 23rd October at 3.00 pm. Follow the games online with live commentary at the Official Website
