Chessbase News, Germany
Dec 26 2004

China wins Petrosian Memorial

25.12.2004 They entered the nominally weakest team (average rating
2590), but China managed to beat Russia (2688), France (2627) and
Armenia (2626) in this double round robin Internet tournament. The
Chinese did not concede a single match, with the weakest player Wang
winning the final game to clinch it for his side. Results and games.

Tigran Petrosian Memorial Internet Tournament

The six round tournament took place from December 18-23, with the
players of each team remaining in their home bases and playing the
games on the Internet. Fischer time control was used: 1 hour 30
minutes plus 15 minutes added at move 40; 30 second increments are
added after every move). The overall prize fund was $55,000 with the
following breakdown: 1st place $20,000, 2nd place $15,000, 3rd place
$12,000, 4th place $8,000. The games will not be counted toward
players’ official ratings.

The Chinese team (picture left) finished first in the strong field,
as the Tigran Petrosian Internet Memorial came to a nail-biting
conclusion on Thursday. Helping the Chinese stave off the powerful
Russian team, the young GM Wang proved to be the hero, bringing home
the necessary full point to keep Russia at bay 2-2, securing first
place for the lowest ranked team in the tournament. China was indeed
a deserved winner, never conceding a match, while winning when they
had to. GM Svidler blew away GM Bu on board one, but two rapid draws
on the middle boards left hope open and Wang converted. In another
moderate surprise, France beat out Russia on tie-breaks for second
place as they beat Armenia 2.5-1.5. GM Bauer was the hero here
grinding down GM Sargissian to earn the final point. Earlier, GM
Fressinet beat GM Lputian, while GM Minasian notched his first
victory of the match, coming out on top in a tactical slugfest
against GM Nataf. GMs Aronian and Lautier shared the point on board
one.

Armenia (average rating: 2626) France (average rating: 2627)
GM Aronian 2675 GM Lautier 2682
GM Lputian 2634 GM Fressinet 2640
GM Sargissian 2611 GM Bauer 2622
GM Art. Minasian 2581 GM Nataf 2565

Russia (average rating: 2688) China (average rating: 2590)
GM Svidler 2735 GM Bu 2615
GM Dreev 2698 GM Ni 2611
GM Khalifman 2669 GM Zhang 2596
GM Zvjaginsev 2650 GM Wang 2536