The fight for the top position is getting more and more intense at the World Senior Team Chess Championship in Prague. Round 4 saw the leaders clash in both 50+ and 65+ categories.

50+ category

Six teams came to Round 4 with 100% result, but after the dust settled, only two squads can boast of four victories in four matches. The defending champion team USA made short work of England 1 3-1, with Alex Shabalov winning his fourth game in a row (he has had a clean sore so far). Czech Republic 1 prevailed over Iceland thanks to the victory by Michal Konopka on the fourth board.

The match Lasker Schachstiftung GK vs. Slovakia was drawn – the teams exchanged blows on the first and fourth boards. Czech Republic 2 somewhat unexpectedly beat Yamal 2½ – 1½. USA and Czech Republic 1 are leading the field and will face each other in Round 5.

Standings after Round 4:

1. USA – 8
2. CZECH REPUBLIC 1 – 8
3. LASKER SCHACHSTIFTUNG GK – 7
4. SLOVAKIA – 7
5. YAMAL – 6
6. MOSCOW – 6
7. CANADA – 6
8. USA TOO – 6
9. ENGLAND 1 – 6
10. ISLAND – 6

65+ category

Similarly, there are only two leaders left in the older category. In Round 4 Russia crushed France 3½ – ½ (only Anatoly Vaisser managed a draw on the first board); Germany 1 downed Czech Republic 1, whereas one of the leaders Israel suffered a painful defeat in the match vs. Schachfeunde Leipzig.

Russia and Germany 1 tops the standings both with a 100% score and will face off in Round 5.

Standings after Round 4:

1. RUSSIA – 8
2. GERMANY 1 – 8
3. SCHACHFREUNDE LEIPZIG – 7
4. GERMANY 3 – 6
5. GERMANY 2 – 6
6. ISRAEL – 6
7. CZECH REPUBLIC 1 – 6
8. AUSTRIA 1 – 6
9. EPPINGEN – 6
10. HUNGARY – 6

Photo: Vladimir Jagr