Traditional Chess Encounter: Russia-China 77.5-72.5; Gunina, Kosteniuk Best Among Russian Women

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

Russia defeated China with a score of 77.5-72.5 in their traditional Scheveningen match held in St. Petersburg from July 1-9. The Russian men's team won the classical section 13.5-11.5, but the Russian women's team lost 14.5-10.5. In the rapid section, the Russian men's team won 29-21, but the Russian women's team lost with a very narrow margin of 25.5-24.5. The overall victory went to the Russians. However, as rules state, the prize money was shared between each of the two teams.

Russian men's team: Evgeny Tomashevsky (2738), Dmitry Jakovenko (2736), Ian Nepomniachtchi (2716), Nikita Vitiugov (2703), Maxim Matlakov (2668)

Russian women's team: Valentina Gunina (2530), Alexandra Kosteniuk (2457), Natalia Pogonina (2447), Olga Girya (2414), Baira Kovanova (2391)

China men's team: Wang Hao (2738), Li Chao (2703), Wang Yue (2690), Ding Liren (2679), Yu Yangyi (2626)

China's women's team: Zhao Xue (2549), Ju Wenjun (2529), Shen Yang (2419), Huang Qian (2417), Ding Yixin (2353).

Format: Classical chess (each member of the team played all the members of the opposing team once) and rapid (two games against each member of the opposing team). No draw offers were allowed before move 40.
Scoring system: Each game is worth one point; the team with the highest combined score (women+men) will be declared the winner.
Prize fund: Each men's team receives $15,000 (non-taxable); each women's team receives $10,000 (non-taxable)
Time Controls: 90 minutеs for thе first 40 movеs, then 30 minutеs to a finish with a 30 second increment from the start for the standard games, with the rapid games played at 15 minutеs plus 10 sесond increment.

Women's Rapid (Board-wise)

Russia
Valentina Gunina 6.5
Alexandra Kosteniuk 6.5
Natalia Pogonina 4.5
Olga Girya 4.0
Baira Kovanova 3.0

China
Zhao Xue 4.5
Ju Wenjun 7.0
Huang Qian 4.0
Shen Yang 6.5
Ding Yixing 3.5

Women's Classical (Board-wise)

Russia
Valentina Gunina 3.0
Alexandra Kosteniuk 3.0
Natalia Pogonina 1.5
Olga Girya 2.0
Baira Kovanova 1.0

China
Zhao Xue 3.5
Ju Wenjun 3.5
Huang Qian 2.5
Shen Yang 2.5
Ding Yixing 2.5

Lots of more photos and details to follow on ChessQueen.com and here on ChessBlog.com. Stay tuned.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com

Tomsk-400, Ladya Win Russian Men and Women's Team Chess; Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk & Team Pick up Bronze

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,

Tomsk-400 is the new Russian Team Chess Champion - for the fifth time! Their chess crusade was led by Sergey Karjakin who notched up the best performance of the chess team event. St. Petersburg got the silver and ShSM-64 got the bronze. 

 

In the women's section, the top seed Ladya won the Russian Women's Team Chess event with a round to spare. They beat Udmurtia 4:0 in their last match. As second-placed Ugra had a bye in the final round, there were chances that defending champion ShSM-RGSU - led by Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk - could claim the silver. However, they had to settle for bronze.

If you want to see a full report and an entertaining game by 13th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, check out this report at ChessVibes. You can access the official website here.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com