Women get the better of Poland

A resurgent trio of B. Adhiban, K. Sasikiran and Parimarjan Negi pulled of impressive victories as India produced a robust performance to trounce USA 3.5-0.5 in the fourth round of the World team chess championship here on Tuesday.

As per ratings, the players were evenly matched on all four boards but once the action commenced, the Indians seized control.

Adhiban made amends for losing the first two games by winning back-to-back battles. He outplayed seasoned campaigner Varuzhan Akobian with black pieces and put India ahead in the tie.

A little later, Sasikiran ended the resistance of Ray Robson to double India’s lead. Even though Vidit Gujrathi searched in vain for victory and eventually settled for a draw with Alexander Onischuk, Negi patiently nailed Jeffery Xiong in an ending involving opposite-colour bishops and pawns.

The triumph lifted India to the fifth spot with four match-points.

China and Russia lead with seven match-points, followed by Poland and Turkey with six each.

Decisive battle

Later in the day, Padmini Rout doubled India’s joy as she won her third board battle against Poland’s Karina Szczepkowska in the only decisive battle, lasting 77 moves.

Padmini’s victory came after D. Harika drew early and Tania Sachdev followed suit. On the fourth board, S. Vijayalakshmi drew from her vast experience to defend brilliantly and salvaged a crucial half-point.

The win lifted India to the third spot with five match-points, two behind the leading duo of Russia and Ukraine.

The results (fourth round):

Open: India (4) bt USA (3) 3.5-0.5 (Vidit Gujrathi drew with Alexander Onischuk; B. Adhiban bt Varuzhan Akobian; K. Sasikiran bt Ray Robson; Parimarjan Negi bt Jeffery Xiong).;

Poland (6) lost to Turkey (6) 1.5-2.5; Belarus (1) lost to Russia (7) 1-3; China (7) bt Egypt (0) 3.5-0.5; Norway (2) lost to Ukraine (6) 1-3.

Women: India (5) bt Poland (4) 2.5-1.5 (D. Harika drew with Monika Sacko; Tania Sachdev drew wth Jolanta Zawadzka; Padmini Rout bt Karina Szczepkowska; S. Vijayalakshmi drew with Joanna Majdan-Gajewska).

Georgia (4) lost to Russia (7) 1.5-2.5; Ukraine (7) bt Vietnam (2) 3-1; Azerbaijan (4) drew witih China (4) 2-2; USA (3) bt Egypt (0) 3.5-1.5.