Poor show by men, women in Olympiad

P Harikrishna’s tactical blunder cost his side dearly and the Indian men’s team went down 1.52.5 to Ukraine while the eves suffered a 0.5-2.5 defeat against America in the seventh round of the 37th Chess Olympiad on Sunday.

India’s best bet Viswanathan Anand, playing with white on board one against Ukraine’s toughest player Vassily Ivanchuk, tried everything in the game that followed the Ruy Lopez pattern. Chucky, as Ivanchuk is known in the chess world, played a tactical game and did not allow his Indian opponent any leeway. A pawn down in the end part, Anand eventually agreed for a draw.

But on the third white board, Harikrishna failed to assert his white superiority against the Sergey Karjakin and lost the game —and one full point when India looked set to get at least a draw.

The men’s team, after this loss, now has 18 points. Koneru Humpy being rested, the Indian women lost two games and drew one against the US. International Master Irina Krush, despite having black pieces, played a good and attacking game to crush Swati Ghate, who had won her last three Round games with ease and Mary Aan Gomes proved no match to Rusudan Goletiani either. Dronavalli Harika was the only saving grace who, despite having black pieces, gave a tough fight to Anna Zatonskkih and made her accept a draw.

TOP BOARDS RESULTS : Men: Netherlands lost to Armenia 1-3; Russia lost to Belarus 1-3; India lost to Ukraine 1.5-2.5; US beat Sweden 2-1; Uzbekistan beat Brazil 1.5-0.5; Georgia beat Poland 3-1; Italy A beat Portugal 2.5-1.5; Czech Republic beat Israel 3-1; Cuba beat Indonesia 3.5-0.5; Bulgaria beat Hungary 2.5-1.5. Women: Ukrain beat Romania 2.5-0.5; US beat India 2.5-0.5; Hungary beat Estonia 2.5-0.5; Ecuador beat Italy A 2-1; Slovenia beat Spain 2.5-0.5; Armenia beat Belarus 1.50.5; Latvia beat Kazakhstan 2.5-0.5.

Category: Chess , The Chess Olympiad