Shantaram loses

SHARJAH, Jan 20: India8217;s Fide Master KV Shantaram went down fighting to International Master Mehdad of France while Grandmaster Elmar Mageeramov of Azerbaijan scored a facile win over a local player Saud Mohammed on the opening day of the Arab Capital Ramadan Chess Tournament here last night.Robert Czemniak of Poland began his defence of the title with a quick knock-out victory over Abdullah Jaffer United Arab Emirates. The latter8217;s delay in the development of his kingside pieces gave the defending champion the upperhand.