YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. 42nd World Chess Olympiad has kicked off in Baku. 180 teams compete in the Open Section, while the Women Section has 140 teams participating, press service of the Armenian Chess Federation informed “Armenpress”.

First three rounds of the tournament have already been held. Top seed teams mostly won their matches but some interesting and surprising results also were recorded.

The biggest surprise of the first round was produced by Sudan, who held the heavy favorites Bulgaria to a 2-2 tie. Although that former world champion Veselin Topalov and GM Krasimir Rusev won their games, but suddenly Sudan comeback with two victories produced by FM Tageslir and A.M. Abdalla.

An unexpected result was registered in match between Romania and Norway, which is lead by world champion Magnus Carlsen. On board one Lupulescu Constantin hold a draw against Carlsen and Deac, Bogdan-Daniel won his game against Tari Aryan, which was the only decisive game and Romania celebrated victory 2,5-1,5.

The heavy favorites of the tournament Russia, USA and China easily won all their matches. Now 16 teams are leading the table with 6 match points. Round 4 top matches are Ukraine-Russia, India-Cuba, USA-Czech Republic, China-Italy.

In the women section first three rounds have been played as well. Some unexpected results were registered here as well.  In round 2 Philippines stunned Georgia, one of the main contenders for the gold medal. WIMs Fronda and Secopito were victorious and WIM Frayna held a draw on the top board. And in round 3 China made a draw against Vietnam although the world champion Hou Yifan made a debut in this Olympiad and won her game, but this was not sufficient for the top seeded China to beat Vietnam.

The other heavy favorites the reigning champion Russia women team and Ukraine won all their matches and together with 11 other teams are leading the table.

Top round 4 matches are Hungary-Russia, Ukraine-France, India-Israel, Lithuania-Kazakhstan.