Russia goes strong

European Team Chess Championship 2007

Third round of the European Team Chess Championship was marked with narrow 2.5-1.5 wins on the top four tables in men section. Peter Svidler beat David Navara with the Anti-Marshall and with other games drawn, Russia took most of against Czech Republic. Each day, Azerbaijan has different hero, this time it was Shakhriyar Mamedyarov's turn to shine and blast Peter Heine Nielsen off the board with a beautiful rook sacrifice.

Russia wining with one point advantage over the Czech Republic, paired with Slovenia in round 4

Azerbaidjan gained one point victory over Denmark and meeting the Netherlands next round

Defending champion Netherlands and Serbia played a highly interesting match when Damljanovic's blunder in the time trouble decided a winner. Slovenia continues upsetting big guns, this time they beat Hungary and Beliavsky-Almasi is a must see game. As Beliavsky told us, he followed attacking idea developed by GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu.

Netherlands vs. Serbia at table two also finishing 2.5:1.5, where Serbia is going to play with the Czech Republic tomorrow

Slovenia accomplished a 2.5:1.5 win over Hungary

Another man to praise is modest GM Michael Roiz. He beat Sergey Karjakin with black pieces to save the day for Israel. During the dinner we had with Michael, he explained what happened in the game: "I think I have surprised Sergey with Breyer variation of Ruy Lopez as I haven't used it for several years. We`reached an equal position, but Sergey found a nice piece sacrifice with allowed him to create some pressure. In one moment, he missed a better move that would have kept things unbalanced, and I gained the initiative which won me the game". Valjevo Gorenje 2007 winner and one of the most promising young players in the world has for long time been underestimated by tournament organizers. As he admitted, his schedule is empty after the Khanty-Mansysk World Cup.

Michael Roiz, playing with the rest of Israel's team against Hungary in round four

Men section results:
Russia-Czech Republic 2.5-1.5
Azerbaijan-Denmark 2.5-1.5
Netherlands-Serbia 2.5-1.5
Slovenia-Hungary 2.5-1.5
Israel-Ukraine 2-2
Spain-Croatia 1-3
Austria-Armenia 1-3
Montenegro-Bulgaria 0.5-3.5
Greece-Sweden 1-3
Poland-Scotland 3.5-0.5

Spain vs. Croatia, Croatia winning by 1:3, waiting for Bulgaria next round

Austria vs. Armenia going on 1:3 as well, Armenia meeting Denmark tomorrow

Montenegro and Bulgaria finished 0.5:3.5, next team on Bulgaria's way is Croatia

Greece suffered defeat by Sweden with 1:3, Sweden to take on England in round four

Poland defeated Scotland with 3.5:0.5, waiting for Austria in the next round

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