The Chess Drum's Preliminary Report

Round #6

Bosnia and Herzegovina 15½ - 15 Russia

Romania 14½ - 15 Armenia

Czech Republic 14 - 14 Hungary

Ukraine 14 - 14 England

Switzerland 14 - 14 Poland

Key matchups today as Bosnia and Herzegovina faces the powerful Russian juggernaut. Despite the resting of Kasparov and Khalifman, Bosnia is still overmatched. GM Judit Polgar will continue to carry the Hungary team as she continues to put wins in the score column. Ukraine-England match will feature gladiator battles the top two boards one pitting GM Ruslan Ponomariov (2743) versus GM Michael Adams (2745) one board #1 and GM Vassily Ivanchuk versus GM Nigel Short on board #2.

One interesting African matchup will be the Zambia-Uganda match. These regional neighbors know each other well having competed in many of the same tournaments on the continent. IM Amon Simutowe will face NM Grace Nusbuga, the two having met at the Wilbert Paige Memorial tournament in Harlem, New York, July 2001. Simutowe demolished Nsubuga in that game, but Nsubuga will be looking for revenge… both have been playing well thus far.