14.03.2019

Ilyumzhinov: Russian chess players showed team spirit at the World Cup

“The Russian men's team, which became the winner of the World Team Championship in Astana on 13 March, showed team spirit and once again proved the experience and professionalism of the national school of chess,” 6th President of the International Chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov told RIA Novosti.

Before the final ninth round, the Russian men's team is leading with 14 points in the standings, ahead by three points from the closest pursuers - teams from India and England, who are no longer able to beat the Russians. Sergey Karyakin, Jan Nepomnyashchiy, Alexander Grischuk, Dmitry Andreykin, Vladislav Artemyev play for the Russian team at the tournament.

“I would like to congratulate the team; they played greatly throughout the World Cup. The Russian team is young and strong, it performed well in other championships. They once again proved that the experience and professionalism of the Russian school of chess are bringing results. In Astana, they played as a team. Last year, the team failed to win gold at the Olympics but now it has shown team spirit. The most important are not individuals but the team,” Ilyumzhinov said on the telephone.