India, Israel, Ukraine and China scored victories at the start of the World Team Chess Championship in Armenia.
India is the provisional leader after recording the biggest victory of the day – 3,0-1,0 against Egypt. Harikrishna, Vidit, and Sengupta brought full points for India, while Mohamed Ezat defended the honor of Egypt with victory on board 2.
Ukraine downed the rating favorite Russia. A sole victory by Eljanov against Tomashevsky was enough, as the games Karjakin – Ivanchuk, Ponomariov – Grischuk, and Jakivenko – Kryvoruchko finished draw.
Israel surprised the hosts Armenia. Again a single victory separated the two teams, Maxim Rodshtein was the hero of the day defeating Vladimir Akopian with black. On the top board Gelfand and Aronian shook hands for a draw, the same score as in the games Sargissian – Sutovsky and Smirin – Movsesian.
China defeated USA 2,5-1,5. Ding Liren defeated Shankland on board one, while Yu Yangyi, Bu Xiangzhi, and Wei Yi held Lenderman, Onishchuk, and Akobian.
Cuba and Hungary was the only drawn match of the day 2,0-2,0. However, it was a very dramatic encounter. Yuniesky Quesada Perez took the lead for Cuba, and later Csaba Balogh equalized for Hungary.
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