Uzbek setback for Indian men

Shenyang China, Oct 16: The Indian men's team were left on tenterhooks with just one round remaining, after they were shocked 1.5-2.5 B...

Shenyang China, Oct 16: The Indian men8217;s team were left on tenterhooks with just one round remaining, after they were shocked 1.5-2.5 By uzbekistan in the 8th round of the Asian Team Chess championships here today.

Indian women completed their campaign on a happy note claiming the bronze medal, beating highly-rated Vietnam 2-1 in the final round.

The women8217;s team tied for the second spot with China B8217; at eight points, but settled for third place due to their inferior progressive score. China A8217; 12 won the gold.

The Indian men maintained their half point lead garnering 20 points and need a good score in the final round against Indonesia tomorrow to clinch the gold medal and Asian title.

India8217;s chances were boosted by a major upset caused by lowly-rated Indonesia, who trounced top seeds China 8216;A8217; 3-1 to join them on third spot with 19 points each.

Iran, Kazakhstan and The Philippines share the second spot with 19.5 points each.

Against Uzbekistan, National A8217; champion K Sasikiran drew withGM Alexander Nenashov while double GM norm holder Abhijit Kunte and GB Prakash went down to GM Saidali Ivldachev and IM Dhitry Kaiumov respectively.However, Indian captain DV Prasad scored a blazing victory against IM Hurat Dzhumaev to salvage some pride.

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On the top board, Nenashev employed the Nimzo Indian Defence and equalised in the middle game against Sasikiran. Though Sasikiran gave up an exchange for initiative, his experienced rival found the right defensive manoeuvre and the game ended in a draw with perpetual checks.

Prasad played a powerful attacking game. In the Modern Defence, Prasad, with white, launched a mating attack with his queen and light-square bishop.Dzhumaev gave up a pawn to prevent getting mated, but Prasad returned the material with a tactical stroke and invaded with his rook to the 7th rank and clinched the issue.

The Indian women put up a better show. Swati Ghate scored a thumping win against Le Thi Phong.

IWM and National champion Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman drew with HoangThonh after a hard-fought battle in the Nimzo Indian Defence while Safira Shanaz drew with Nguyen Thi.