Indian Tiger Tames Chinese Dragon

Report by I.A Suresh Chandra Sahoo

Team India successfully defeated China with the scoreline reading 2.5-1.5 in the second round of the 3rd India – China Chess Summit 2018, being organised by All Odisha Chess Association & KIIT, on behalf of All India Chess Federation at International Chess Hall, KiiT University, Bhubaneswar.

Top board started with a Sicilian Najdrof and transposed into a sort of Yugoslav attack of Dragon variation. After 33 moves, Karthikeyan had the upper hand with Queen and one Rook on each side. White’s safer King and space advantage put Black in trouble. Eventually, the Indian lad from Chennai displayed superb endgame technique and pressed this advantage home on the 48th Move.

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On the 2nd board, Srinath chose to play the Queens Gambit accepted and after several exchanges of pieces, Xiangyu maintained some endgame advantage and one extra pawn after the 36th move. GM Srinath cleverly steered the game to a draw Rook and pawn ending, where the point was split on the 50th move.

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On the third board in an English Opening game, both the players went for an early trade of Queens on the 7th move and the Indian Grand Master had a small advantage of space and more active minor pieces. However, after a marathon battle, the game was drawn on the 59th move.

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On the fourth board, GM Xu Yinglun played the Petrosian system against the Mar Del Plata variation of Kings Indian Defence and had the upper hand in the opening stage, by snatching the open ‘b’ file. The exchange of light squared Bishops increased the advantage for White. However, the Indian Grandmaster defended with his back to the wall and drew on the 36th move.

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Board Results of Round 2