Only six men's and four women's teams came to Iranian city of Esfahan to take part in the 14th Asian Team Championship. China, gold medal winners in both categories from Jodhpur (2003) did not arrive this time. Former Asian champions like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the Philippines were missing as well. Because of limited number of participating teams the event was a double round robin.

Vietnam and India dominated the men's event. India took their first ever Asian Championship title trouncing Vietnam 3-1 on penultimate round. Iran "A" came third.

In the women's section Vietnam took gold after very close run ahead of India and sensational Iran "B".

The event was very good but the coverage was more than poor. Only indispensable Heinz Herzog from schach.wienerzeitung.at as usual provided fast and reliable statistical coverage. All of major internet chess media unanimously ignored the Championship. It is a big mistake, because it was really exciting contest with a lot of good chess and surprising results.

Please find complete records, standings and all the games from the Esfahan Championship:
14th men's Asian Team Championship info page.
4th women's Asian Team Championship info page.

Dear chess Friends!

I am sooo happy to report to you that my first daughter Teresa Maria Bartelska was born on Christmas Eve Night, December 24th. She is sweet and charming young lady although she keeps tormenting us with languishing cry every few hours, including sleeping time. Teresa and my wife Aleksandra feel both very well.

This is wonderful feeling but the parents are now much more busy that previously! I will do my best to retain my chess activity at decent level. So, wish us lot of patience with the baby and may she join the chess community in the future!

Teresa's extensive blog with a lot of pictures is available in Polish at http://bartelski.pl

Always yours in chess,
Wojtek Bartelski, Head Webmaster

Apart from the World Team Championship each of four continents has its own team championship. There is also separate competition for both Americas and every four years all of American chess nations are invited to take part. Unfortunately this looked more like South American Championship in the past because Cuba and the Netherlands Antilles are the only teams outside South America to ever appear at the Panamerican Team Championship.

Seven editions were completed dating back to 1971. Only three countries hosted the event so far: Argentina (three times), Brazil (three times) and Venezuela (once). Cuba took five titles and Argentina took two. Brazil have no cup win in their collection but they came second on four occasions. According to FIDE rules the winner has right to play in the consecutive World Team Championship. There is no separate competition for women.

The last time when Panamerican Team Championship was held was in Rio de Janeiro in 2003. Only four teams took part. Cuba won and Brazil took silver. The next Championship is scheduled for 2007.

All of the games from past Panamerican Team Championships were prepared by Adaucto Wanderley da Nobrega, the owner of BrasilBase - an excellent source of information on chess in Brazil and Brazilian chess players in general.

Panamerican Chess Team Championship history

What was seemingly impossible came true. China were so close but yet so far! With last round to go they had a clear 2.5 point advantage over Russia to whom they were to stick on the last day. Unbelievably the Chinese lost 0.5-3.5 missing the title by only half of a point. According to FIDE website the last game between Morozevich and Ni Hua was "a tense finish" and as Moro earned decisive advantage Ni Hua broke down in tears. Other wins came from brilliant Bareev who nothed an amazing 5.5/6 record and from Grischuk who unleashed winning piece sac.

Apart from crazy chase for gold a brisk four draw match vs Cuba secured easy bronze for Armenia, who traditionally win third place in almost every team competition held last years they take part in. Ukraine finished well but it was enough only for taking fourth spot. Then came USA and Israel.

The Chinese conceded their first match loss on day 8 as they were knocked by Armenia by 2.5-1.5 (again, Ni Hua lost his game) but this seemed not very important as Russia dropped a clear point vs Chinese women because of Rublevsky's loss vs Shen Yang, a 16-year old teen.

A four point advantage with just two rounds to be played - had any team ever lost such an advantage on a major international team event so far?

We have to congratulate the organizing committee for their good job as well as the web page stuff for live coverage and extensive daily comments.

Final standings: Russia 22; China 21.5; Armenia 18.5; Ukraine 17.5; USA 16.5; Israel 14.5; Georgia 13.5; Cuba 13; China (w) 7.

Some statistics: of 144 games played white won 45, drew 72 and lost 27 scoring at 56.2% (a bit above long-time average).
A total of 48 GMs took part. Of 9 teams 8 comprised of six GMs and China women had two WGMs and one WIM.
Highest rated player: Ivanchuk (2748).
Biggest upset: Shen Yang (2326) - Rublevsky (2652) 1-0.
Best percetage score: Bareev 5.5/6 (China reserves scored both 100% but played just 1 and 2 games respectively), ELO performed 2968
Prince of draws: Dominguez (Cuba) - 7 draws in 8 games
Quickiest win: Ni Hua - Ibragimov 1-0 (32 moves)
Longest game: Shen Yang (China women) - Zhou Jianchao (China) 0-1 (114 moves)
Most unusual opening: Ibragimov - Shen Yang 1-0 (Bishop Opening 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Bc5)

Read Alon Greenfeld's extensive reports from WTCh official site: round 1; round 2; round 3; round 4; round 5; round 6; round 7; round 8; round 9.

Read ChessBase's illustrated report.

Everyday reports and photos are also available at FIDE site.

Find complete results, games and statistics OlimpBase's page

The all-time statistics are already updated! Check here.

Another big shocker came from rampart Chinese team on day seven as they wiped out desperate Americans by 3.5-0.5 to extend their lead over runners-up Russia up to clear four points. Team USA, that actually has Soviet background with no exceptions, seemed totally helpless struggling vs magic China. Ukraine, who are aiming at reaching third position barely halved vs Cuba because of Ejlanov's bad play. Israel caused another major disappointment losing to Georgia and dropped down to 7th. Now their chances of taking one of podium places are less than minimal.

What will happen in the last two rounds is an open question. The battle for gold is not all over yet. Given that Russia's win over China on the last day by the margin bigger than 3-1 seems near impossibility, if Russia manage to beat China (w) tomorrow by 4-0 then China (m) need to beat Armenia in order to keep safe advantage. On the other hand, China's draw vs Russia on day 9 (or even 1.5-2.5 loss) puts the winning certificates into their hands. The team seeded only 6th perform now at 212 ELO points better than expected! The battle for bronze is even more complex. Armenia earned considerable advantage but need yet to play decent chess vs China tomorrow in order to retain the advantage. Ukraine wasted all kinds of chances and only good finish might save them. This is not all over for USA too but they need to beat Cuba and Israel.

Standings after seven rounds: China 19.5; Russia 15.5; Armenia 14; Ukraine 12.5; USA and Georgia 12; Israel 11.5

Today's matches: ARM-CHN; UKR-ISR; RUS-CHN(w); USA-CUB; GEO bye

Read Alon Greenfeld's extensive reports from WTCh official site: round 1; round 2; round 3; round 4; round 5; round 6.

Read ChessBase's illustrated report.

Everyday reports and photos are also available at FIDE site.

Find complete results, games and statistics of rounds 1-7 at OlimpBase's page

China made another huge step towards the World Championship title as they squeezed today the titleholders Ukraine to retain half of a point advantage over Russia. Ni Hua sealed China's win defeating Moiseenko who blunder under zeitnot in the sharp Kingside biased game. Russia's only win vs Armenia came from board #4 player Bareev who easily ran over Anastasian. USA moved up to third ruthlessly defeating Chinese women while Georgia scored their very first match victory beating underperforming Cuba.

The prospects for future stay unclear. Although Russia will receive a bye (and no points) tomorrow China are yet to face three strongest teams of the event including the last round hit encounter vs Russia. We may safely assume that the Russians will beat Chinese women by 4-0 so that China need to scarpe at least dwo draws in rounds 7-8 in order to be in front before the last round starts. Anyway, it seems like China and Russia are sure to take top two spots. Ukraine are perhaps favourites to take the bronze since they have easiest opposition to play.

Standings after six rounds: China 16; Russia 15.5; USA 11.5; Armenia 11; Ukraine 10.5; Israel 10.

Read Alon Greenfeld's extensive reports from WTCh official site: round 1; round 2; round 3; round 4; round 5.

Read ChessBase's illustrated report.

Find complete results, games and statistics of rounds 1-6 at OlimpBase's page

China moved to the very top of the World Team Championship table as we reached the halfway point of the competition. They scored another impressive victory yesterday as they overwhelmed Georgia by 3.5-0.5 and lead now with 13.5 points still having one match in pocket. Russia are lying in second half of a point behind the Chinese as they beat USA yesterday by only 2.5-1.5 with the winner coming from Bareev who beat Goldin at board #4. Israel defeated Cuba 2.5-1.5 (another result that might not be what they were hoping for) and Ukraine recovered from last days' nightmare hammering Chinese girls by 3.5-0.5. Still they have long way to go as far as podium positions are concerned.

Sunday is the rest day and the remaining rounds will be tough run for Russia and China. Although China have already had a rest they will face considerably tougher opposition than the Russians so everything still may happen.

Standings after four rounds: China 13.5; Russia 13; Israel 10; Armenia 9.5.

Read Alon Greenfeld's extensive reports from WTCh official site: round 1; round 2; round 3; round 4; round 5.

Read ChessBase's illustrated report.

Find complete results, games and statistics of rounds 1-5 at OlimpBase's page

It seems like China and Russia are main condenders for gold. Day 3 saw another big victory by China's team who hammered Cuba by 3.5-0.5. Israel beat Chinese women but only by the smallest margin possible and GM Erenburg lost to Shen Yang. Russia trounced Georgia by 2.5-1.5 and Ukraine lost badly to Armenia with decisive victory coming from Aronian against Ivanchuk at top board. On the next day Israel lost once again vs rampart China and their chances for winning the WTCh title are probably over. Russia defeated Ukraine 2.5-1.5 in the top encounter of the day with the winner coming from Grischuk who defeated Volokytin and Ukrainian lions are another big favourites to say farewell to their winning hopes. Georgia conceded as much as 2 game points vs Chinese women.

Standings after four rounds: Russia 10.5; China 10; Armenia 9.5; Israel 7.5.
Armenia will receive a bye tomorrow while Russia will face USA. China will play Georgia hoping to overtake the Russians.

Read Alon Greenfeld's extensive reports from WTCh official site: round 1; round 2; round 3;

Read ChessBase's illustrated report: http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=2718

Find complete results, games and statistics of rounds 1-4 at OlimpBase's page