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Russia Holds Early Lead in World Team Championship

A strong Russian team led by Peter Svidler won their first two matches to take the early lead at the World Team Chess Championship in Beer-Sheva, Israel. Russia defeated Cuba 3-1 in the first round, and followed up with a 2.5-1.5 win over the host nation in round 2.

Armenia is currently second with one win and one draw, while the United States, Cuba, and China's Men's team are in a virtual tie for third. China has two teams in the event; one made of top male players, and the other of top female players. The women's team is currently last, scoring just 1 point while losing their first two matches.

The American team is made up of familiar names. Six grandmasters are on the squad: Alexander Onischuk, Boris Gulko, Gregory Kaidanov, Alexander Goldin, Ildar Ibragimov and Igor Novikov. In the first round, the US defeated Georgia 2.5-1.5, with Ibragimov earning the decisive win.

In round two, Ibragimov won again, this time against Ukranian GM Pavel Eljanov. It wasn't enough, however, as both Vassily Ivanchuk and Andrei Volokitin posted wins for Ukraine to secure a 2.5-1.5 victory.

We will be providing continuing coverage of this event in our next issue. For now, here is Ibragimov's first round win over GM Levan Pantsulaia.

White: Ibragimov, I (2617)
Black: Pantsulaia, L (2578)
World Team Championship, Round 1
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Be3 e6 5. Nd2 Nd7 6. Be2 Qb6 7. Nb3 a5 8. a4 Bb4+ 9. c3 Be7 10. f4 h5 11. Nf3 Nh6 12. O-O Bg4 13. Bf2 Nf5 14. Rb1 h4 15. Nbd2 Nf8 16. Ne1 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 g5 18. fxg5 Bxg5 19. Ndf3 Be7 20. b3 Ng6 21. Nd3 Rg8 22. Kh1 Qa6 23. Qc2 b5 24. Rfd1 Kf8 25. Qd2 Rc8 26. Be3 Qb7 27. Bh6+ Ke8 28. Bg5 Rb8 29. Bxe7 Qxe7 30. c4 dxc4 31. bxc4 b4 32. Nc5 Rd8 33. Ne4 Kf8 34. c5 Rd5 35. Nd6 f6 36. Qf2 Rh8 37. Re1 fxe5 38. Nxe5 Nxe5 39. Rxe5 Rxe5 40. dxe5 Qg5 41. Rd1 Qe3 42. Qf1 Rh5 43. Nc4 Qxc5 44. Qf4 Kg7 45. h3 Kg6 46. Kh2 Qe7 47. Nxa5 c5 48. Nc6 Qg5 49. Qxg5+ Rxg5 50. a5 Ne3 51. Rg1 Kf7 52. a6 Rg8 53. a7 Ra8 54. Ra1 b3 55. Ra5 b2 56. Rb5 Nc4 57. g3 Kg6 58. Rb8 Kg7 59. gxh4 Kh6 60. Kg3 Kg6 61. Kf2 Kh5 62. Ke2 Kxh4 63. Kd3 Nxe5+ 64. Kc2 Rxa7 65. Rh8+ Kg3 66. Nxa7 Nc4 67. Nb5 e5 68. Nc3 Kf3 69. Rf8+ Kg3 70. Rc8 1-0