India score over Philippines

Shenyang (China), Oct 13: Indian men continued their good show by defeating overnight leaders Philippines 2.5-1.5 in the fifth round to m...

Shenyang (China), Oct 13: Indian men continued their good show by defeating overnight leaders Philippines 2.5-1.5 in the fifth round to move up to second spot in the Asian Team Chess championship here today.

The architect of the Indian victory was National A’ champion Krishnan Sasikiran, who upset GM Antonio on the top board. The other three boards ended in hard-fought draws.

But the Indian women suffered a reverse, going down fighting to top seed China A’ 1-2 despite a major upset by Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman.

Vijayalakshmi, obviously rejuvenated after yesterday’s rest day, defeated Wgm Wang Lei on the top board. Swati Ghate lost to Wgm Wang Pin, while Safira Shanaz was beaten by Wgm Xu Yuhua. India moved one rung down to third place, with 5.5 points, after three rounds. China A’ lead with 7 points.

In the men’s section, The Philippines maintained their lead but were joined by top seeded China A’ at the top with 13.5 points.

The Indian men’s team, which bounced back into the fray with a 4-0 rout of Singapore in the fourth round, was half a point behind.

Playing white, Sasikiran chose the classical variation against King’s Indian Defence of Antonio. He made a thematic exchange sacrifice and infiltrated his rival’s queen side.

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The Indian GM norm holder conducted the middle game incisively and finally won a piece in the ending.

Double GM norm holder Abhijit Kunte held IM Villamayor Bueneventura to a draw in the second board. Kunte equalised easily against the English Opening and signed the peace treaty in the ensuing rook ending.

Indian skipper DV Prasad played an aggressive game with white by employing the Ritcher Rauzer Variation against Richard Bitoon.

Prasad obtained an initiative and won a pawn when his opponent was caught in a cesspool of tactics. Both players came under mutual time scramble. An equal minor piece ending was reached after the debris was cleared and the two players decided to split the point.

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On the fourth board, GB Prakash, who was conferred the International Master title by the World chess federation (FIDE), played his usual solid chess to hold Eduardo Ortiz.

In the game against Wang Wang Lei, Vijayalakshmi sacrificed a pawn in the Nimzo Indian Defence for a powerful king-side attack.

Results (Men’s 5th round): India beat Philippines 2.5-1.5; Kazakhstan lost to China A 1.5-2.5; (Women’s 3rd round): China A bt India 2-1.

Placings (Men): 1 China A, Philippines 13.5; 2 India 13; 3 Uzbekistan 12; 4 Kazakhstan, Iran 11.5; 5 Indonesia 11; (Women): China A 7; Vietnam 6; India 5.5.