2017 World Teams 16-27 June

[Jonathan Rogers]

Playing an early ...Bc5 is quite of place in the Berlin middlegame - so I and surely everyone else have always assumed; and while Fedoseev must have had something in mind, he isn't changing anyone's opinion today.

[Jonathan Rogers]

slightly oddly, Black is utterly fine on the other boards. China substantial favourites to win already.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Though Russia are looking happier on the top three baords than they did earlier, still having their advantage as Black on 2 and having equalised (!) with their Whites.

[Jonathan Rogers]

But China seem to be levelling up on 2 now. Still that huge position on board 4 looking potentially decisive.

[LawrenceCooper]

But China seem to be levelling up on 2 now. Still that huge position on board 4 looking potentially decisive.

It's certainly looking that way. China lead 2-1 and board 1 doesn't appear to offer any winning chances.

[LawrenceCooper]

China win and so take the lead by a match point. Poland and Norway left so every chance they will now win.

Russia women are likely to extend their game point lead over Ukraine who had to settle for 2.5 against Egypt with Zhukova losing to a 2141. At least her suspended ban should ensure she doesn't question the merits of her opponent's victory

[Mick Norris]

Crosstables Open which is close and Women which is even closer with Russia due to play Ukraine in the final round tomorrow

[Jonathan Rogers]

Can someone remind me how Norway qualified for this event?

[Paul Cooksey]

I assumed Tromso olympiad for them and turkey, but have not checked

[Jonathan Rogers]

Russia seemingy losing to India, so that is that. Sticking to the eccentric plan of giving Nepo White in every game has not worked so well of late.

[Mick Norris]

Russia won; Svidler rested again, so Nepo white tomorrow v US; it will be academic if China beat Poland (China lead by 1 match point, but only 1 game point)

In the Women's event, Ukraine lost to Georgia, so trail Russia by 2 match points and 4 game points, so that's effectively all over

[David Sedgwick]

Can someone remind me how Norway qualified for this event?

I assumed Tromso Olympiad for them and Turkey, but have not checked.

Paul, I think that you mean Baku Oympiad 2016 rather than Tromso Olympiad 2014. Subject to that, you are correct.

Seven teams tied for 4th to 10th in Baku. India and Norway, 4th and 5th on tiebreak respectively, qualified. Turkey, 6th on tiebreak, either qualified or were subsequently invited: I'm not sure which.

England, 9th on tiebreak, didn't make it.

[Tim Harding]

Final round in progress now. Miroshnichenko and Anna Rudolf commentating on chess24.

Going in to the last round in the Men's China led with 14 (22 GP) from Russia 13 (21) and Poland in bronze position 12 (19).

In the China match board 3 is already drawn and top board looks drawish. In boards 2 and 4 the positions were identical to move 14 (at least).
Goteborg syndrome!
Bartel eventually made a move after 7 minutes and Duda is still thinking which suggests the preparation has gone wrong.

[LawrenceCooper]

The Zhukova-Lahno pairing made me smile bearing in mind the not so recent friction:

http://chess-news.ru/en/node/16452
Zhukova also commented on Kateryna Lagno's leaving:

"Getting rid of the parasites is always painless. Well, love cannot be forced. If she doesn't want to play for Ukraine, why do we need such people? We didn't communicate at the Olympiad, she avoided it. Cleansing is always for the better."

[Tim Harding]

The Li Chao-Bartel game has gone a couple of moves further. Yu Yangyi (who is to move at #15 for at least 10 minutes) was looking at their board wondering whether to vary or not.