When Russia faltered yesterday (only winning 2.5-1.5), they allowed China and Uzbekistan to catch them at 10.5 points. Russia beat China 3-1 while Uzbekistan and the Ukraine drew 2-2 (Kasimzhanov’s win over Ivanchuk was a wild one). But it wasn’t enough to take sole possession of first as Armenia trounced Norway 4-0. Kramnik could get his first 2700+ opponent in Aronian tomorrow.
Meanwhile the U.S. has beaten Poland 3-1. I have not had the chance to look at the games at all closely but Nakamura’s win over Macieja looked nice (but as a French player, I’m biased).
India had to pick on someone closer to their own size today (Hungary) and only won 2.5-1.5 (Anand drew with Black against Almasi). India and the U.S. now both have 11.5 pts. (as do China and Georgia; Greece could join if their remaining game against the Netherlands is drawn). But since both the U.S. and India are in the top half of their score group, we will have wait awhile to see the Kamsky-Anand game.
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