Indians back on the top board

The lead positions in the men’s section, however, remained unchanged as Russia, maintaining their supremacy over the rest, scored a resounding 3-1 victory over Poland.

The defending champion, helped by a superb win by garry Kasparov, who defeated GM Michael Krasenko in just 25 moves, are 2.5 points clear of second placed Romania, Bosnia and Herzgovina, Netherlands and Hungary with 21.5 points.

Georgian women maintained their lead in the women’s event even after drawing level 1.5-1.5 with Russia. Georgia on 16.5 points are half a point ahead of holders China, who blanked France 3-0.

Indian eves were given an excellent start against Ecuador by woman Grandmaster S Vijayalakshmi, who playing with black on the top board, beat Martha Baquero Fierro.

Vijaylakshmi opened with the Sicilian Defence and faced an off-beat variation of Grand Prix attack. Quite early in the game itself, the players chose a less trodden path that made the position extremely complicated. The Indian girl, however, came up with a brilliant attacking plan in the middle game with a pawn roller on the king side that shattered white’s position beyond repair.

Martha tried salvage the position on the queenside but found the attack against her king hard to handle and surrendered after 30 moves. Taking advantage of the English attack, Aarthie Ramaswamy crushed Vasquez Ramirej Rocia in the second game. Having the advantage of white pieces, Aarthie made things look very easy after Rocia opted for some passive play instead of counter attack.

With prophylactic moves, Aarthie seized the initiative to register a comprehensive victory. Swati Ghate was quite convincing too as she won another one-sided battle to complete the whitewash.