India Scores Third Straight Win

By Arvind Aaron

Defending champions India, seed number two behind Russia overcame third seed Azerbaijan 3-1 in the third round to win their third straight match in style in the World Youth Chess Olympiad at Mersin in Turkey on August 18.

Our team lost the top board game when IM B Adhiban lost to higher rated GM Eltaj Safarli with the black pieces. However, Sethuraman, Shyam Sundar and Prasanna Rao scored wins on the bottom boards to see the defending champs in sweeping form.

Armenia is leading with 10.5/12 and India is in second place with 9.5 points. The Philippines and Georgia are on joint third place with nine points.

Seven rounds remain to be played in the team competition of four boards and one reserve. India face Armenia in the next round and should be able to defeat that team as they have just one FIDE Master in their ranks.

Home                                                         Published on 19^th August, 2008