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This is an archive article published on December 12, 1997

Barua falls to "blitz"

GRONINGEN (The Netherlands), December 11: Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua of India was ousted from the Fide World Championship after going down ...

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GRONINGEN (The Netherlands), December 11: Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua of India was ousted from the Fide World Championship after going down to GM Zbynek Hracek of the Czech Republic in the deadlock-ending five minute "blitz" game.

Barua committed a serious opening error with black pieces and lost the blitz game tamely after drawing his match and subsequent two rapid games to set up the `blitz’ in this newly introduced knockout affair by the world chess body.

The 31-year-old Barua, who had played out a tame draw in the first game of the two-game match, adopted his favourite Petroff Defence and equalised easily in the second game. After the exchange of queens and all minor pieces, the players agreed to split the point and the match ended 1-1.

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Barua, who had prepared the system thoroughly, obtained a very dangerous attack on the enemy King. But a careless move allowed Hracek to escape with a draw.

In the second rapid (25 minute) game, Barua defended the black side of the Petroff Defence perfectly and drew the game.

With the first tie-break match drawn, the `blitz’ game was introduced to decide the winner. Barua got black pieces in this crucial game and again opted for the Petroff Defence.

But he committed a serious opening mistake and lost the game without putting up any resistance.

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