DRESDEN, Germany (AP) — The Russian team — touted as the strongest ever assembled for a Chess Olympiad — was derailed in Thursday’s open division play in round seven of the tournament by the defending gold medal Armenian team 2.5-1.5, which took sole possession of first place.
In the only decisive game of the match, Gabriel Sargissian defeated Alexander Grischuk on board three.
The other three games were all draws, with Armenian Levon Aronian versus Vladimir Kramnik on board one, Vladimir Akopian versus Peter Svidler on board two, and Tigran L. Petrosian versus Dmitry Jakovenko on board four.
The win gave Armenia 6.5 match points out of seven. France, Germany and Israel are tied for second with 6 points. Russia remains at 5.5 points.
The 38th Chess Olympiad, a biennial event that started November 13, includes 146 teams in the open division — often referred to as the men’s division although it includes a few women. The separate women’s division includes 111 teams.
