Round 8 in ETCC: Russia Confirms European Title in Men and Took the Sole Lead in Women

Turkey:2 - Finland:2

Bo.	23	TURKEY (TUR)	Rtg	-	34	FINLAND (FIN)	Rtg	2 : 2
15.1	GM	Gurevich Mikhail	2627	-	GM	Nyback Tomi	2565	½ - ½
15.2	IM	Atalık Suat	2468	-	IM	Karttunen Mika	2427	½ - ½
15.3	IM	Haznedaroğlu Kıvanç	2453	-	GM	Westerinen Heikki M J	2371	1 - 0
15.4	IM	Erdoğdu Mert	2440	-	FM	Keskinen Sauli	2298	0 - 1

Switzerland:2.5 - Turkey:1.5

Bo.	23	SWITZERLAND (SUI)	Rtg	-	19	TURKEY (TUR)	Rtg	2½:1½
12.1	WIM	Seps Monika	2290	-	IM	Atalık Ekaterina	2404	0 - 1
12.2	WGM	Hund Barbara	2216	-	WIM	Topel Zehra	2246	½ - ½
12.3	WIM	Heinatz Dr Gundula	2193	-	WIM	Yıldız Betül Cemre	2220	1 - 0
12.4	WGM	Lematschko Tatjana	2189	-	WFM	Öztürk Kübra	2174	1 - 0

Turkey made a draw against Finland in round 8 of European Team Chess Championship. Russia had the first lapse against Spain with a 2-2 draw but it was still enough to claim the title in Men's Section with a 3 point gap with 1 round to go. Turkey is going to play Germany, a solid team with all the players grandmasters in the squad. In women's event, Turkey lost to Switzerland with 2.5-1.5. Russia leads after winning against Netherlands with 3.5-0.5 and Poland's loss to Armenia with 2.5-1.5. Poland and Armenia are sharing the second place with 12 points.

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Pictures: Chessdom, ChessBase

Russia Clinches the Title

 

Russia secured the first place with a 2-2 draw after Shirov's win against Morozevich was cancelled out by Jakovenko's win against Khamrakulov. With a 3 point with the closest rival, Russia secured a gold medal after the disastrous result in 2005. Azerbaijan and Armenia did not produce a winner in their own fight. The match ended as a draw after Radjabov's win against Akopian was balanced by Sargissian's win against Gashimov.

Israel won a crucial game against Slovenia in order to fight for the top three places in the final round while Ukraine was not able to win against Poland with Ivanchuk's win against Socko versus Volokitin's lost against Wojtazsek did not produce any winner in this match. Bulgaria, even without Topalov won against Hungary thanks to Cheparinov and Georgiev. Russia is leading with 15 points followed by Israel and Armenia with 12 points. Bulgaria, France and Azerbaijan are sharing the fourth place with 11 points and have a chance to gain medal in the final round.

 

Russia in the Sole Lead with One Round To Go

 

Russia won against Netherlands 3.5-0.5 but Poland was not able to join their opponents and lost to Armenia 2.5-1.5 thanks to Mkrtchian's win against Rajlich. Georgia won a crucial game against Hungary with Javakishvili's victory against Hoang Thanh Trang while Ukraine also win 3-1 against France with Zhukova winning against Collas and Ushenina winning against Milliet.

Russia is leading with 14 points followed by Poland and Armenia before the last round.