CHESS: ARMENIA IN FINAL PUSH FOR EUROPEAN GOLD

10.11.11 | 23:13

Reigning world champions Armenia are close to adding the European
title to their collection of remarkable achievements in chess after
outstripping current holder and arch-foe Azerbaijan in the penultimate
round of championship play on Thursday.

FIDE’s current No. 3 player Levon Aronian and company need a victory
in the ninth and final round of the ending tournament in Greece to
finish first among 38 competing nations.

The Armenians scored a signal 3-1 victory against the Dutch team to
rise to 13 points in team standings, a point ahead of Azerbaijan that
inadvertently helped the Armenia cause by losing to Germany 1.5-2.5.

Germany are second despite 13 points, yielding to Armenia on overall
games statistics.

In the women’s section Armenia rose to 10 points and sixth place
after beating Serbia 2.5-1.5. Russia is leader with 15 points.

Friday fixtures beginning at 1:00 pm Greece time, or 3:00 pm Yerevan
time, are available for live online watching at the tournament’s
official website