Indian men and women win against England, Uzbekistan in Chess Olympiad

India on Saturday came back to their winning ways defeating England 2.5-1.5 in the open section and Uzbekistan in the women's category in the eighth round at the World Chess Olympiad currently underway at Baku in Azerbaijan.

In both the sections, India won scoring 2.5 - 1.5 points.

In the open section, it was Chennai lad Grandmaster S.P. Sethuraman who defeated GM Nigel D. Short and gave the team the much-needed victory to win the match as the other three games ended in a draw.

Playing white, Sethuraman went in for the Scotch opening (e4, e5; Nf3, Nc6; d4) and by the sixth move, both the players brought their queens into play.

A couple of moves later, Sethuraman's board position improved and on move 19 he castled on his queen's side and opened his attack from the king's side while Short brought his attack on white's king in the queen's side.

However the Indian maintained his superior board position to force Short to resign in 41 moves.

The remaining three games ended in a draw.

On the top board, World No.15 and Indian GM P.Harikrishna pitted against GM Michael Adams drew in 58 moves.

The other lad from Chennai GM B. Adhiban signed a peace treaty with his English rival GM David W.L. Howell in 35 moves.

Similarly the third board also saw a draw between India's Vidit Santosh Gujrathi and GM Gawain C.B. Jones.

The Indian women had better luck winning against much lower-rated Uzbekistan.

World No.5 Indian GM Harika Dronavalli posted a victory without much sweat in 37 moves.

Playing black, India's International Master (IM) Padmini Rout drew her game on the second board.

Similarly WGM Soumya Swaminathan drew her game in 35 moves with both the players having just six pawns and their king on the board.

The fourth board saw WIM Pratyusha Bodda replacing the off-form IM Tania Sachdev.

On her part Bodda drew her game after a marathon 102 moves.

--IANS

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