Crosstable after 7 rounds:
| SNo. | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | MP |
| 1 | AZERBAIJAN | * | 3 | 1½ | 1½ | 3 | 2 | 3½ | 2½ | 9 | ||
| 2 | TURKIYE | 1 | * | 1 | ½ | 2 | 2½ | 1 | ½ | 3 | ||
| 3 | INDIA | 2½ | 3 | * | 1½ | 2½ | 2½ | 1 | 2 | 9 | ||
| 4 | RUSSIA | 2½ | 3½ | 2½ | * | 2½ | 1½ | 3 | 2 |
11 | ||
| 5 | EGYPT | 1 | 2 | 1½ | * | 1 | 1½ | 2½ | 1 | 3 | ||
| 6 | ISRAEL | 2 | 1½ | 3 | * | 2½ | 2½ | 1½ | 1½ | 7 | ||
| 7 | BRAZIL | ½ | 1½ | 2½ | 1½ | * | 1 | 1 | 1½ | 2 | ||
| 8 | GREECE | 1½ | 2½ | 1½ | 1½ | 3 | * | 1½ | 3 | 6 | ||
| 9 | UNITED STATES | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2½ | 3 | 2½ | * | 12 | ||
| 10 | ARMENIA | 1½ | 3½ | 2 | 2 |
2½ | 2½ | 1 | * | 8 |
The U.S. team is leading by a full point after 7 rounds. However, the U.S. team has to face Armenia and Azerbaijan in the final 2 rounds.
Russia has to face Egypt and Israel while Azerbaijan has to face Greece and the U.S. India has to face Israel and Brazil. Armenia has to face the the U.S. and Egypt.
So mathematically speaking, anything can still happen.
What is your prediction? Can the U.S. hold its lead? Can the Russian, Azerbaijani, Indian, or Armenian teams overtake the U.S.?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
India beat Egypt 2½-1½
Susan,
I think India won against Egypt by virtue of Gopal’s victory on 3rd board. Hence they are also in the medal race as they have to face out of form Israel and Brasil
Vow.Thanks for the quick correction
My prediction
1.Russia
2.USA
3.India
Wow, Susan U.S. really winning? Amazing, almost seem like we know what were doing.Maybe a knight trick on the top guy from Armenia and they can beat them too.
The US still have to play Armenia and Azerbaidjan, which is much tougher than Russia’s opponents. So my guess is Russia will eventually win this event with the US coming in 2nd.
That depends on whether Naka’s luck holds out, I guess.
I loved his game against Gelfand, you have to admire that kind of well prepared courage – but Gelfand did have a draw at hand.
And today he was similarly lucky, when his opponent suddenly decided to stop pushing against the black King and go home. Black’s astonished pieces ambled over to White’s side of the board and kicked butt.
He’s on a roll. 5.5/6, right? Well done.
Russia will win. Poland will be second.
US Russia India
Egypt will play a role.
My prediction:
1. China
2. Hungary
3. Canada
Russia is certain to get 15 points and first place, with the US likely 2nd. And to think that Russia doesn’t even have Kramnik and Svidler, and Moro must have drunk too much vodka last Christmas.
Azerbaijan should have done much better but they failed to assess their players’ forms coming into this event. Mamedyarov should have played top board and Gashimov would have contributed much more in Board 3.
Poor Brazil! They could do better in football!