Andrey Filatov and Sergei Rublevsky Name Team Compositions for World Championships
Tournaments to be held in Astana on March 4-15.
The World Team Championships will be held in Astana on March 4-15. Head coaches of the Russian national chess teams Andrey Filatov and Sergei Rublevsky announced teams’ compositions.
NEW BLOOD
In the open event, the Russian team will be composed of Sergey Karjakin, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Alexander Grischuk, Dmitry Andreikin, and Vladislav Artemiev.
“The team’s composition has changed in comparison with the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, where we had won bronze medals having shared 1-3 places with the USA and China”, says Andrey Filatov, Head coach and captain of the Russian national chess team. “The national team was renewed more than on half. We brought in Vladislav Artemiev, who had recently won the tournament in Gibraltar. The reigning Russian champion Dmitry Andreikin is also included in the team. We invited a three-time World blitz champion Alexander Grischuk. The team’s leader Sergey Karjakin will play on the first board, Ian Nepomniachtchi will be playing on the second board, Grischuk – on the third board, Andreikin – on the fourth board, while Artemiev will be a reserve player”.
“We have brought a young blood in the team, but we are aimed at winning medals, as always”, adds Mr. Filatov. “The rivalry is growing each year. The Kazakh players will do their best in their homeland, while others (Russia, China, USA, Azerbaijan, Iran, England, Poland, India, and Egypt) are aimed at achieving highest results and places. Two years ago, our national team won silver. We will try to improve our result”.
WHO IS WHO
Sergey Karjakin (FIDE rating – 2753, year of birth – 1990), Vice World champion, World Rapid and Blitz champion, winner of various super tournaments. Sergey is called “Minister of Defence” because of his tenacious play in defence. One of the most stable grandmasters of the national team.
Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE rating – 2771, year of birth – 1990), Russian champion, winner of various super tournaments, European champion, World champion as a member of the Russian national team. Now Ian is on his ascent; he has rushed in the Top 10 of the FIDE rating list for the first time, and he is considered to be the team’s main piercing power by right.
Alexander Grischuk (FIDE rating – 2771, year of birth – 1983), three-time World blitz champion. The most experienced member of the Russian national team. Winner of various tournaments. Finalist of the Candidates Matches. An uncompromising fighter with a sharp and attacking style.
Dmitry Andreikin (FIDE rating – 2725, year of birth – 1990), two-time champion of Russia. World Cup finalist, participants of the Candidates Tournament. A creative chess player, who is capable to outplay any rival when he is good shape.
Vladislav Artemiev (FIDE rating – 2736, year of birth – 1998), one of the key hopes of the Russian chess. Vladislav’s progress is evident. His winning of the recent strong open tournament in Gibraltar is impressive as he left behind many renowned opponents (Aronian, Nakamura, Vachier-Lagrave, So, etc.). He can become the team’s discovery.
LAGNO REINFORCES THE TEAM
Captain and Head coach of the Russian women's national chess team Sergei Rublevsky also named the players who will defend World champions’ title. Russia will be represented by Kateryna Lagno, Alexandra Kotseniuk, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Valentina Gunina, and Olga Girya at the World Team Championship in Astana.
National teams of Russia, Armenia, Hungary, Georgia, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, China, USA, and Ukraine will compete in the women's event.
“We are going to Astana with the same players who won the World Team Championship two years ago in Khanty-Mansiysk”, says Sergei Rublevsky. “I am very glad that Kateryna Lagno, who was in a maternity leave for a while,is again with us. Katya has not just started to play chess again, but she is doing it brilliantly. She won a silver medal of the Women’s World Championship only one month after she gave birth to her daughter.She could defeat Ju Wenjun in the final, but she lacked force and energy. In her case, losing on tie-break is a great success. But then Lagno won a gold medal at the King Salman World Blitz Championship in a brilliant style. So, she is a solid reinforcement of our team, and we will try our best to repeat out success of the previous championship”.
WHO IS WHO
Kateryna Lagno (FIDE rating – 2560, year of birth – 1989), World women’s vice champion. Two-time European champion, two-time World blitz champion, World rapid champion. Winner of the World Chess Olympiad, winner of the World and European team championships.
Alexandra Kosteniuk (FIDE rating –2532, year of birth – 1984), 12th World women’s champion, three-time winner of the World Chess Olympiads, winner of the World and European team championships, Russian champion, winner of various super tournaments.
Valentina Gunina (FIDE rating –2501, year of birth – 1989), three-time winner of the World Chess Olympiads, winner of the World and European team championships, World blitz champion, three-time European champion, Russian champion.
Aleksandra Goryachkina (FIDE rating –2518, year of birth – 1998), winner of the World and European team championships, two-time Russian champion.
Olga Girya (FIDE rating –2457, year of birth –1991), winner of the World and European team championships, winner of the Russian Women’s Cup.
