China, Russia Keep Winning

China crushed USA 3.5-0.5 to lead the World Women's Team Chess Championship that is taking place at Astana in Kazakhstan on March 5, 2013.

In the joint lead on six points are Russia and China with three wins. With a defeat, a draw and a win from three games, India are on 50% score. India were defeated by Ukraine in the opening round. Ukraine 5, Georgia 4, India, USA 3 each; Romania 2; Kazakhstan 1 and Turkey, France 0 each.

Ju Wenjun, Tan Zhongyi and Shen Yang won for China in the top, third and fourth boards.

India held Romania to a 2-2 draw in the third round. Soumya Swaminathan won on board four for India. Nisha Mohota had lost on board two. Eesha and Mary Ann drew in the first and third boards.

The World Women's Team Chess Championship is taking place at Astana in Kazakhstan from March 3-13. For the first time, Kazakhstan, an Asian nation is competing. They play as hosts. The two other Asian nations are China and of course India.

The chief arbiter is IA Panagiotis Nikolopoulos of Greece. It is a 10-team all-play-all. Without experienced hands in China and India, the chance of an Asian title looks difficult. India are without Harika and Humpy.

In the first round, China, Elo favourites Ukraine, Russia and Georgia won and took the lead. India went down to favourites Ukraine by 1-3 with world champion Ushenina and Mariya Muzychuk winning against Nisha Mohota and Padmini Rout. Only Eesha Karavade on top and Mary Ann on the bottom board drew for India.

In round two, India defeated France 2.5-1.5 with Soumya Swaminathan winning on board four. Eesha, Nisha and Mary Ann drew in the top three boards. In other significant result, China defeated Georgia 3-1, Russia beat Kazakhstan 3-1 and Ukraine was held to a 2-2 draw by Romania.

Six rounds remain to be played in this World Women's Team Chess Championship.

Pic: World Women's champion Anna Ushenina of Ukraine and FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov at the start of the event in the opening press conference.