The Armenian team managed to preserve its lead with a narrow 2.5-1.5 victory over China (which had been in third). The key games were Movsesian - Wang Yue and Sargissian - Yu Yangyi. In the first, Wang Yue had excellent winning chances for most of the game. 29...Nf4 would have improved over 29...Qb6, and in the ending 36...a4 followed by ...Rb3 would have kept White scrambling to stay alive. Instead, 36...g6? chased White's knight on its way to the tactically terrific c4 square, and Movsesian escaped. As for Sargissian - Yu Yangyi, Black got squeezed to death in what looked like a master vs. amateur game, never managing to put any roadblocks in White's way.
Azerbaijan had been second, on tiebreaks, but they lost to Ukraine 2.5-1.5. The first three boards were drawn, and on board four Moiseenko won a virtuoso rook ending against Guseinov. Certainly a game worth studying.
Russia made up some ground with their 3-1 victory over Egypt. Grischuk and Nepomniachtchi won on the first two boards, but the lower boards were drawn. Once again Shoker proved that his IM title isn't long for the world, while Ezat survived a monster marathon against Vitiugov to draw in 158 moves.
Hungary crushed Israel 3.5-.5 on the strength of wins by Leko (again!), Polgar and Balogh. For technique fans, Polgar's game was instructive, turning the smallest of advantages in a rook and opposite-colored bishop ending into a win.
Finally, the U.S. defeated India 3-1, winning on both White boards. Onischuk suffocated Sasikiran in the middlegame, and when Black bailed out into a pawn down ending the nice breakthrough move 46.b5 decided the result. As for Hess - Negi, White had a pull but nothing more until Black panicked (probably in time pressure) with 31...h6?? He was forced to resign immediately after 32.Qb8, but had he played the tactical 31...g3 or even the solid 31...Re8 he would have been just a very little bit worse.
Current Standings:
1. Armenia 4 (of 5)
2-3. Russia, Hungary (in that order, on tie-breaks) 3.5
4. Ukraine 3
5-7. China, Azerbaijan (these two are equal on at least the first three tiebreaks), USA 2.5
8. Israel 2
9. India 1.5
10. Egypt 0
Event website here.
As for Biel, it's a day off. Play resumes tomorrow, with Carlsen trying to maintain his lead.