ETCC Round 4 - Azerbaidjan and Russia with perfect scores

Many games finished a 2-2 tie

Slovenia was finally stopped as Russian power-machine proved to be too strong. Full points by Alexander Morozevich and Dmitry Jakovenko were good enough for comfortable 3-1. Sergei Tiviakov and Teimour Radjabov quickly drew their game, then Gadir Guseinov beat Erik Van Den Doel and after Vugar Gashimov held Daniel Stellwagen to a draw, Azerbaijan celebrated 2.5-1.5 against Netherlands. Fifth round will see big derby Azerbaijan-Russia.

The strong Russian team, lead by GM Morozevich took a glorious victory against Slovenia with two wins and two draws

In Netherlands vs. Azerbaidjan GM Tiviakov and GM Radjabov got to a very fast draw and quickly made a post-mortem of their game atthe analysis hall. Azerbaidjan won with one point difference.

Israel gained early advantage against Hungary on the third table thanks to, who else than Michael Roiz. Zoltan Almasi, however, beat Boris Avrukh in a marathon to set the final 2-2 tie. FYROM was very close to upsetting Ukraine after Nedev's blitzkrieg on Moiseenko. Ivanchuk and Volokitin remained concentrated to turn the tables and secure narrow 2.5-1.5.

Hungary and Izrael gave us a great game, switched a loss on first and second board and with drawing the other two games finished 2:2

FYROM gave in to very strong Ukraine, score - 1.5:2.5

Armenia and Denmark showed a smooth and equal game all the way - four tie games, total score 2:2

In the last game of ex world champion GM Topalov, Bulgaria scored an outstanding victory against Croatia with wins ot the first three boards and a draw on the forth, which amounts to Croatia:Bulgaria - 0.5:3.5

Powerful France triumphed against Norway with GM Bacrot getting a draw from GM Carlsen on board one

The Czech team outplayed Serbia with a minor advantage because of a mishap in the game on board one where GM Damljanovic was winning against his younger opponet GM Navara but made a critical mistake leading to 2.5:1.5

England and Sweden finished at 2 points each in a very interesting and variated match

Spain reached the desired win against Germany with a minor 1pt advantage thanks to GM Vallejo Pons who won his game against GM Naiditsch, while the other three games were tie

Turkey cleary outperformed Romania with two wins and two ties

Finland and Geogia also joined the club of 2:2 draws, where GM Nyback from Finland won on board one and GM Pantsulaia from Georgia triumphed on board two while the other finished a tie

Austria really showed what they're made of against Poland today with IM Ragger, IM Atlas and IM Weiss drawing against the much stronger GM Socko, GM Socko and GM Gajewski respectively. Nevertheless GM Bartel gained victory on board four and produced the final 1.5:2.5

The Baltic battle between Lithuania and Estonia ended favorably for Estonia with GM Kulaots and FM Lauk victorius on board one and three respectively producing the final 1:3

Iceland and Switzerland played a long mixed match and could not produce a winner, result on board - 2:2

Italy vs. Montenegro also did not give us a winner, they showed a balanced game and deservingly finished 2:2

Greece prevailed in their match against the firstcommers Monaco with three wins, however, GM Efimov surprisingly took the victory on board one against the much higher rated GM Kotronias

Belgium chased Cyprus all over the boards and took their three points, nevertheless FM Klerides on board three for Cyprus surprisingly won against the higher rated IM Laurent

Scotland scored a win against Luxembourg after a five hour match with 2.5:1.5

Men section 4th round results:
Russia-Slovenia 3-1
Netherlands-Azerbaijan 1.5-2.5
Hungary-Israel 2-2
FYROM-Ukraine 1.5-2.5
Armenia-Denmark 2-2
Croatia-Bulgaria 0.5-3.5
Norway-France 1-3
Czech Republic-Serbia 2.5-1.5
England-Sweden 2:2
Spain-Germany 2.5:1.5
Austria-Poland 1.5:2.5
Finland-Georgia 2:2
Lithuania-Estonia 1:3
Iceland-Switzerland 2:2
Italy-Montenegro 2:2
Monaco-Greece 1:3
Belgium-Cyprus 3:1
Scotland-Luxembourg 2.5:1.5