China wins Women's Team Championship by two points

First World Women's Team Chess Championship 2007, Russia

This event is taking place from May 19 to 30 in Ekaterinburg, Russia, with women's teams from ten national federations – among them Russia, Ukraine, China, Armenia, Georgia, Netherlands, Poland and Vietnam – participating. The venue is the five-star Atrium Palace Hotel, where the teams are also staying.

Round 7 – 27.5.2007

Most of the major clashes had already taken place, but the players still had to be careful to avoid mistakes and not to let the points slip away. With the exception of the Chinese team, who seem to be winning unfailingly, with good scores. In round seven Zhao Xue outplayed Jana Jackova, Hou Yifan beat Olga Sikorova, and Ruan Lufei took the point from Petra Blazkova. Only Katerina Nemcova survived with a draw against Shen Yang.

The playing venue of the women's team championship in Yekaterinburg

The encounter between the Russian and Armenian teams lasted longer than any other one on this day. On the first board Nadezhda Kosintseva encountered Elina Danielyan, who sacrificed two light pieces for a rook, after which she was trying to attack the Russian's unprotected king.

Tatiana defended very well and finally after the repetitions of moves they agreed to draw. On the second table Nadezhda Kosintseva was sorting out the relations with her constant opponent Lilit Mkrtchyan. Nadezhda, playing white, got an advantage in the opening but failed to turn it into a full point. On board three Siranush Andriasyan played a very rare line against Ekaterina Kovalevskaya. But that didn’t save the less experienced Armenian player, and Kovalevskaya won. The final encounter of the match between Elena Tairova and Liana Aghabekyan ended in a draw. Russia beat Armenia 2.5:1.5.

Germany vs Botswana, Kachini-Gersinska vs Sabure Tuduetso: 1-0

Round 8 – 28.5.2007

Russia inflicted a heavy 3.5:0.5 defeat on the Czech Republic, with Tatiana Kosintseva, Ekaterina Korbut and Ekaterina Kovalevskaya all scoring full points. Ukraine, battling to catch the Russians, took Georgia down with a 3-1 score. China had the "bye" against Botswana, whom the dutifully defeated 4:0, like everybody else. Germany drew their main rival, Vietnam.

Everyone's favorite: 13-year-old Hou Yifan, best player on board two

... showing full determination in the match against Botswana

Russia's board three Ekaterina Korbut (no it isn't, just a buckle)

Ukraine's board two Anna Ushenina

Melanie Ohme playing on board four for Germany

Round 9 – 29.5.2007

The Chinese team won Gold in the First World Women’s Chess Team Championship. These young ladies, the oldest of whom is 22, struck everybody by their stable play and excellent physical state. The majority of the games they won lasted for about four hours, evidence of their battlelike attitude and a desire to struggle till the very end. A whole team of coaches supported the players in Yekaterinburg. In the last round they faced Germany, looking fresh and vigorous as usual, in spite of the early start of the round. They could have easily gone for a draw in round nine, but instead struggled until the very end in every game. The score against Germany: 2.5:1.5.

The victorious Chinese team: Huang Qian, Zhao Xue, Hou Yefan, Sheng Yang, Ruan Lufei

Meanwhile the Russian took their four points against Botswana and the Silver medal in this event, two match points behind the leaders. The Ukraine team struggled for five hours against Vietnam and won the encounter 3.5:0.5, taking Bronze in the process.

The trophy

Unveiling the spectacular golden trophy

The golden trophy for the first place weighs for about 15 kg, its height is more than 70 cm. It is decorated with 16 precious Urals stones: garnet, corund and lavender pheonite. The sphere is made of optical glass with a laser engraving inside. Ural specialists spent more than a month creating the golden Cup.

Participants, spectators and representatives of mass media admire the Cup

Iz-za ostrova na stryezhyen' – music and song at the end of a great tournament

Don't try this at home: acrobatics at the closing ceremony

Final standings

The best results on individual boards:

Final cross table

Our Correspondent in Yekaterinburg

Elmira Mirzoeva is a sport journalist and TV presenter. She is also a strong chess player, becoming Russian Women's Blitz Champion in 1999 and gaining a Women's Grandmaters title in 2002. She has also been Women's Vice-Champion of Moscow (2000-2002), Moscow Women's Blitz Champion (2002-2004) and played for the French Club "Shalon Champine".

As a journalist Elmira has written more than 100 articles in sports publications since 1998. In 2003 she became a special chess commentator for the channel "7TV", and in 2004 the resident chess commentator for the RTR Sport TV Channel. In 2005 Elmira created Russia's only dedicated TV program for chess, "Shakh or Mat". In 2006 she became the TV presenter of the centeral Moscow channel "Stolica", and also works for the biggest and tha oldest radio station "Mayak", where she has her own chess programm and weekly talks about chess. Elmira has also taken part in developing a childrens chess programme, "A Big Chess Journey", by Media House.

Links

• Official web site
• All games available (in zipped PGN)