India clinches series
Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: India completed a comprehensive 2-0 series victory over fancied Armenia after clinching the third and final round 3-1 at the Russian Cultural Centre here on Tuesday.

India won the first round 2.5-1.5 on Sunday and drew the second 2-2 before coming up with a commanding performance on the final day. In all, India won six of the nine decisive games over three days.

Grandmaster S. Arun Prasad and the World under-16 champion B. Adhiban emerged as the heroes of India’s comprehensive victory having contributed 2.5 points each from their three games. World junior champion Abhijeet Gupta won two games against the Armenian spearhead Zaven Andriasian on the top board. Making the difference

For the second successive day, Arun won with black pieces against higher seeded GM Hrant Melkumyan, in 40 moves, to aptly reflect India’s superior preparedness for the tie. Arun’s passed pawn on the queen’s side made the difference on this day.

Abhijeet avenged the loss suffered on Monday by overpowering Andriasian in an emphatic manner in 45 moves after sacrificing a knight.

Earlier, an in-form Adhiban was made to take things easy by coach Vishal Sareen and the youngster settled for a quick 13-move draw against GM Avetik Grigoryan. Deep Sengupta, looked well placed against Samvel Ter Sahakyan but took a draw in 42 moves once the other boards were decided.

The results: Third round:

India bt Armenia 3-1 (Abhijeet Gupta bt Zaven Andriasian; S. Arun Prasad bt Hrant Melkumyan; B. Adhiban drew with Avetik Grigoryan; Samvel Ter Sahakyan drew with Deep Sengupta).

Source: http://www.hindu.com/

Posted by Picasa
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Tags: , ,