2013 World Team Championship (Antalya, Turkey)

While the fervor from World Championship has subsided and Magnus Carlsen settles into his role as the World Champion, other action is heating up in Antalya, Turkey. The biennial World Team Championship is being held featuring ten of the top teams including the host nation of Turkey.

Hikaru Nakamura is climbing up the ELO list and hopes to carry his team to another medal. Photo by Anastasiya Karlovich.

Many top players are defending their honor including Levon Aronian of Armenia, Hikaru Nakamura of the USA, Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, Vassily Ivanchuk of the Ukraine. Anish Giri will lead the Netherlands, Alexander Iptov holds top board for Turkey and Bassem Amin mans the top board for Egypt.

However there are many players absent including Teimour Radjabov, who led Azerbaijan to the European Cup and Wang Hao of China. Egypt, ranked last, are missing Ahmed Adly and Essam El-Gindy. Both the Ukraine and Russia are the only teams with a 2700 ELO average and hope to make a strong showing. Armenia and the USA generally have good chemistry and will contend.

2013 World Team Championship
November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
Russia (2759.2)
#
Title
Name
Rating
Flag
1 GM Kramnik, Vladimir 2793
2 GM Karjakin, Sergey 2756
3 GM Grischuk, Alexander 2785
4 GM Nepomniachtchi, Ian 2721
5 GM Vitiugov, Nikita 2741
Ukraine (2714.8)
#
Title
Name
Rating
Flag
1 GM Ivanchuk, Vassily 2731
2 GM Korobov, Anton 2713
3 GM Moiseenko, Alexander 2709
4 GM Kryvoruchko, Yuriy 2701
5 GM Areshchenko, Alexander 2720
Armenia (2703.6)
#
Title
Name
Rating
Flag
1 GM Aronian, Levon 2801
2 GM Movsesian, Sergei 2700
3 GM Akopian, Vladmir 2681
4 GM Sargissian, Gabriel 2676
5 GM Petrosian, Tigran 2660
China (2693.2)
#
Title
Name
Rating
Flag
1 GM Li Chao 2679
2 GM Ding Liren 2711
3 GM Yue Wang 2725
4 GM Xiangzhi, Bu 2683
5 GM Yu Yangyi 2668
USA (2683.4)
#
Title
Name
Rating
Flag
1 GM Nakamura, Hikaru 2786
2 GM Kamsky, Gata 2721
3 GM Onischuk, Alexander 2672
4 GM Robson, Ray 2613
5 GM Akobian, Varuzhan 2625
Netherlands (2669.2)
#
Title
Name
Rating
Flag
1 GM Giri, Anish 2732
2 GM Van Wely, Loek 2678
3 GM Tiviakov, Sergei 2663
4 GM Sokolov, Ivan 2648
5 GM L’Ami, Erwin 2625
Germany (2635.2)
#
Title
Name
Rating
Flag
1 GM Khenkin, Igor 2612
2 GM Meier, Georg 2623
3 GM Fridman, Daniel 2600
4 GM Naiditsch, Arkadij 2727
5 GM Barmidze, David 2614
Azerbaijan (2616.4)
#
Title
Name
Rating
Flag
1 GM Mamedov, Rauf 2647
2 GM Safarli, Eltaj 2653
3 GM Mamedov, Nidjad 2616
4 GM Durarbayli, Vasif 2559
5 GM Guseinov, Gadir 2607
Turkey (2581.8)
#
Title
Name
Rating
Flag
1 GM Ipatov, Alexander 2630
2 GM Solak, Dragan 2618
3 GM Yilmaz, Mustafa 2577
4 GM Esen, Baris 2565
5 GM Can, Emre 2519
Egypt (2493.4)
#
Title
Name
Rating
Flag
1 IM Ezat, Mohamed 2454
2 IM Abdel Razik, Khaled 2450
3 IM Shoker, Samy 2500
4 GM Amin, Bassem 2652
5 IM Labib, Ibrahim 2411
Official Site

17 Comments

  1. Round #1 (26 November 2013)

    China got off to a quick start with a win over Netherlands.

    IM Samy Shoker is always good for a shocker… beat Naiditsch!
    Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich (https://wctc2013.tsf.org.tr/)

    2013 World Team Championship
    November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
    Round #1
    #
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    Result
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    1.1 Germany
    2635.2 2½-1½ Egypt
    2493.4
    1.2 Turkey
    2581.8 1½-2½ Azerbaijan
    2616.4
    1.3 Netherlands
    2669.2 1½-2½ China
    2693.2
    1.4 Ukraine
    2714.8 2½-1½ USA
    2683.4
    1.5 Russia
    2759.2 2-2 Armenia
    2703.6
    Games

  2. Round #2 (27 November 2013)

    Gata Kamsky looking snazzy in USA’s win over Russia.
    Photo by Anastasiya Karlovich (https://wctc2013.tsf.org.tr/)

    2013 World Team Championship
    November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
    Round #2
    #
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    Result
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    2.1 Egypt
    2493.4 1-3 Armenia
    2703.6
    2.2 USA
    2683.4 3-1 Russia
    2759.2
    2.3 China
    2693.2 1½-2½ Ukraine
    2714.8
    2.4 Azerbaijan
    2616.4 3-1 Netherlands
    2669.2
    2.5 Germany
    2635.2 3-1 Turkey
    2581.8
    Games

  3. Round #3 (28 November 2013)

    Turkey scored first win over Egypt.

    Armenia has scored many team victories due in part to their chemistry.

    It appears that Bu Xiangzhi has been around forever, but he’s only 27.
    Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich (https://wctc2013.tsf.org.tr/)

    2013 World Team Championship
    November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
    Round #3
    #
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    Result
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    3.1 Turkey
    2581.8 2½-1½ Egypt
    2493.4
    3.2 Netherlands
    2669.2 1½-2½ Germany
    2635.2
    3.3 Ukraine
    2714.8 2½-1½ Azerbaijan
    2616.4
    3.4 Russia
    2759.2 2½-1½ China
    2693.2
    2.5 Armenia
    2703.6 2½-1½ USA
    2683.4
    Games

  4. Round #4 (29 November 2013)

    Azerbaijan-Russia drew a crowd. The Azeris are without their top player, Teimour Radjabov and lost a close match.

    GM Bassem Amin, Egypt’s brightest star.

    Ding Liren may be the future of Chinese chess.
    Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich (https://wctc2013.tsf.org.tr/)

    2013 World Team Championship
    November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
    Round #4
    #
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    Result
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    4.1 Egypt
    2493.4 ½-3½ USA
    2683.4
    4.2 China
    2693.2 2½-1½ Armenia
    2703.6
    4.3 Azerbaijan
    2616.4 1½-2½ Russia
    2759.2
    4.4 Germany
    2635.2 1-3 Ukraine
    2714.8
    4.5 Turkey
    2581.8 ½-3½ Netherlands
    2669.2
    Games

  5. Round #5 (30 November 2013)

    Ivanchuk’s cap psychology seems to be working.
    Photo by Anastasiya Karlovich (https://wctc2013.tsf.org.tr/)

    2013 World Team Championship
    November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
    Round #5
    #
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    Result
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    5.1 Netherlands
    2669.2 3-1 Egypt
    2493.4
    5.2 Ukraine
    2714.8 2½-1½ Turkey
    2581.8
    5.3 Russia
    2759.2 3½-½ Germany
    2635.2
    5.4 Armenia
    2703.6 2-2 Azerbaijan
    2616.4
    5.5 USA
    2683.4 1½-2½ China
    2693.2
    Games

  6. Nice report Daaim, Maybe U.S. will medal in the contest, i thought they would be in the top 3 by now though.

  7. Round #6 (2 December 2013)

    The Netherlands have a lot to smile about. They would then beat a previously undefeated Ukrainian side.

    Nakamura didn’t convert, but Robson’s win (21.Nxc4!!)
    carried the day over Azerbaijan.

    What happened to Armenia? A 3-1 drubbing came as a shock.
    Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich (https://wctc2013.tsf.org.tr/)

    2013 World Team Championship
    November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
    Round #6
    #
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    Result
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    6.1 Egypt
    2493.4 1-3 China
    2693.2
    6.2 Azerbaijan
    2616.4 1½-2½ USA
    2683.4
    6.3 Germany
    2635.2 3-1 Armenia
    2703.6
    6.4 Turkey
    2581.8 1-3 Russia
    2759.2
    6.5 Netherlands
    2669.2 2½-1½ Ukraine
    2714.8
    Games

  8. Round #7 (3 December 2013)

    The Netherlands could not keep momentum and tumbled to 6th place. Meanwhile…

    … Russia is keeping pace with the Ukraine and now have more board points.

    Varuzhan Akobian was today’s star for the Americans.
    Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich (https://wctc2013.tsf.org.tr/)


    2013 World Team Championship
    November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
    Round #7
    #
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    Result
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    7.1 Ukraine
    2714.8 2½-1½ Egypt
    2493.4
    7.2 Russia
    2759.2 3½-½ Netherlands
    2669.2
    7.3 Armenia
    2703.6 3-1 Turkey
    2581.8
    7.4 USA
    2683.4 3-1 Germany
    2635.2
    7.5 China
    2693.2 3-1 Azerbaijan
    2616.4
    Games

  9. Things heating up at World Team ’13!!

    Two more rounds remain at the the 2013 World Team Championships and it will be a race to gold. Ukraine is currently atop the field by one point over Russia with 12 points, while China (10 pts.) and the USA (8 pts.) are also fighting for medal contention.

    Kramnik’s fortune has changed since his brutal loss to Nakamura. Photo by Anastasiya Karlovich (https://wctc2013.tsf.org.tr/)

    Yesterday, things got a bit tighter as Ukraine took their first lost at the hands of the Netherlands. As a result, Russia closed the gap to within one point. China and the USA also won to stay within medal contention. Defending Olympiad and World Team champion Armenia is in bad form and will have to wait for the Olympiad in Tromso to successfully defend their other title.

    Azerbaijan is the defending European Team champions, but did not field either Teimour Radjabov nor Shahkriyar Mamadyarov for this tournament. Egypt and Turkey are poised to take a point or two off of the medal contenders to make things interesting.

    Here is Bassem Amin’s scintillating win over Alexander Areschchenko in a Najdorf.

    As it stands now, the Ukraine has a slim lead over Russia, but have difficult pairings including a showdown with Russia in round eight. They then end the tournament with rival Armenia. Not an easy road. After its date with the Ukraine, Russia will look to score big against a beleaguered Egyptian squad missing some of their top players as well. Meanwhile China stands to capitalize if the Ukraine and Russia fight to a draw and China is able to beat Germany. China will then go for a rout of Turkey in the last round.

    China is always a threat, but may be playing for silver.
    Photo by Anastasiya Karlovich (https://wctc2013.tsf.org.tr/)

    The USA has an outside chance at a medal playing getting host Turkey and the Netherlands as their last two opponents. However they will need help from Armenia to beat the Ukraine.

    The marquee matchup tomorrow is Ukraine-Russia. Follow the live action here! Drum Coverage here!

  10. Round #8 (4 December 2013)

    Is the Ukraine on the verge of collapse? Having started with five wins in a row, they are now in danger of losing a medal if they lose to Armenia tomorrow.

    A confident American team was a heavy favorite and still vying for a medal. GMs Varuzhan Akobian, Ray Robson and Alex Onischuk chatted amicably before the round with Nakamura taking a rest. GM Baren Esen readies himself for battle.

    With only one team win, Turkey battled tough!

    Turkey DREW!!! Predictably it would be Esen to score a win over Robson.

    2013 World Team Championship
    November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
    Round #8
    #
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    Result
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    8.1 Egypt
    2493.4 0-4 Azerbaijan
    2618.4
    8.2 Germany
    2635.2 1½-2½ China
    2693.2
    8.3 Armenia
    2703.6 2-2 Turkey
    2581.8
    8.4 Netherlands
    2669.2 ½-3½ USA
    2683.4
    8.5 Ukraine
    2714.8 1½-2½ Russia
    2759.2
    Games

    In the penultimate round, a gladiator battle turned out to be fortuitous for Russia as they edged a fading Ukrainian squad. In a battle of names, Yuriy Kryvoruchko got his queen trapped against Ian Nepomnniachtchi for the margin of victory. The match win gives Russia an inside chance to win gold if they defeat winless Egypt. On the other hand, the Ukraine could even miss the medal stand if they lose to Armenia… a high possibility.

    The USA has squandered any medal hopes after Turkey held them to a 2-2. After Baris Esen brutally mated Ray Robson, Varuzhan Akobian saved the match with a win after a collapse by Emre Can. Resting Hikaru Nakamura was a huge mistake given that the Americans could have used the board points anyway. Interestingly enough, both Turkey and Egypt could effect the medal hunt in the final round.

  11. Round #9 (5 December 2013)

    Things were not easy from Kramnik against the unheralded Egypt’s Mohammad Ezat. In fact, the Russian wandered into a losing position. Fortunately, Russia had already clinched the gold.

    GM Ian Nepomniachtchi scored some crucial wins for Russia.

    The USA ended a disappointing tournament with 2-2 draw. However, Nakamura, Onischuk and Akobian won individual board medals. Nakamura believes this will be the last chance to win Olympiad gold with this core group.

    2013 World Team Championship
    November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
    Round #9
    #
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    Result
    Name
    Flag
    Rating
    8.1 Russia
    2759.2 2½-1½ Egypt
    2493.4
    8.2 Armenia
    2703.6 1½-2½ Ukraine
    2714.8
    8.3 USA
    2683.4 2-2 Netherlands
    2669.2
    8.4 China
    2693.2 3-1 Turkey
    2581.8
    8.5 Azerbaijan
    2618.4 1-3 Germany
    2635.2
    Games

  12. 2013 World Team Championship
    November 24th-December 6th, 2013 (Antalya, Turkey)
    Standings (FINAL)
    Rank Team
    Match pts
    Board Pts.
    1 Russia
    15
    23
    2 China
    14
    22
    3 Ukraine
    14
    21
    4 United States of America
    10
    20½
    5 Armenia
    10
    20
    6 Netherlands
    9
    17
    7 Germany
    8
    17
    8 Azerbaijan
    7
    18
    9 Turkey
    3
    12
    10 Egypt
    0
    9½
    Official Site

    Teams receive two points for a match win, one for a draw and zero for a loss

  13. A narrow victory for the russians. Interesting to see russia only managing to beat egypt by such a narrow margin. Well, a win is a win. Congratulations to team russia.

    1. It will be tougher at the Olympiad with so many other teams in the hunt. This will give them confidence nevertheless. I’m picking China. They were missing their top board and still got silver. They are young and strong.

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