 The matches of the third round were closely contested by higher-rated teams with many of them having four grandmasters vs. four grandmasters boards.They resulted in a total of 16 teams extended their winning streak to three starting wins.Russia managed to set Moldova back from any surprise and scored a 3–1 win thanks to the wins by Ian Nepomniachtchi with the Black and Alexander Grischuk with the White pieces on the lower boards.