Humpy wins Armageddon, leads India past Poland to FIDE Online Olympiad final

World Rapid Champion Koneru Humpy won her Armageddon game against GM Socko Monika leading India past Poland in the semi-finals of the FIDE Online Olympiad 2020. The crucial tie-break victory fetched India a berth in the final, where we shall play the winner of Russia vs USA.

The India – Poland semi-final was a see-saw affair with India going down in the first match 2-4 to Poland as Anand, Vidit & Divya lost their games, while Nihal restored parity bringing us a lone win. The next round with reversed colors saw India going for the jugular, as Anand and Vidit won their respective games, when Humpy and Harika gave us two more wins. India’s 4.5 – 1.5 win over Poland evened out the match score. In the deciding Armageddon game, Koneru Humpy overcame GM Socko Monika (2428) in 73 moves, taking India one match victory away to the title.

The crucial Armageddon game that fetched us a spot in finals :

Socko, Monika (POL) – Koneru, Humpy (IND) 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nd2 Qxd4 6. Ngf3 Qd8 7. O-O c3 8. bxc3 Be7 9. Qc2 O-O 10. e4 Nc6 11. Nc4 Nd7 12. Rd1 Qe8 13. Bf4 e5 14. Nfxe5 Ndxe5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 c6 17. Rab1 b6 18. Bf4 Be6 19. Be3 Qc8 20. f4 Bh3 21. f5 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 f6 23. Bf4 Bc5 24. Rd2 Rd8 25. Rbd1 Rxd2+ 26. Qxd2 Qe8 27. Qe2 Rd8 28. Qc4+ Kf8 29. Rxd8 Qxd8 30. h4 Qd7 31. a4 a5 32. Qa6 Kf7 33. Qa8 h6 34. Qa6 Qd1 35. Qc4+ Kf8 36. e5 Qc2+ 37. Kf3 Qxf5 38. exf6 Qxf6 39. Kg2 Qf7 40. Qe2 Qd5+ 41. Kh2 Kf7 42. h5 Qe6 43. Qf3 Kg8 44. Bd2 Qa2 45. Qf4 Qd5 46. Be1 Qxh5+ 47. Kg2 Qe2+ 48. Kh3 Qxe1 49. Qf5 Qh1+ 50. Kg4 Qd1+ 51. Kh4 Qh1+ 52. Kg4 Qd1+ 53. Kf4 Qf1+ 54. Ke5 Qxf5+ 55. Kxf5 Kf7 56. Ke5 b5 57. g4 bxa4 58. Ke4 a3 59. Kd3 a2 60. Kc2 g6 61. Kb3 h5 62. Kxa2 hxg4 63. Kb3 g3 64. Kc2 g2 65. Kd2 g1=Q 66. Ke2 Qe3+ 67. Kd1 Qxc3 68. Ke2 a4 69. Kf1 a3 70. Kg2 a2 71. Kh2 a1=Q 72. Kg2 Qa2+ 73. Kh1 Qc1# 0-1

Earlier, yesterday the quarter-finals between India and Armenia had a lot of drama, with India moving to semi-finals in the end. The first match saw India defeating Armenia 3.5 -2.5, with wins for Vidit, Harika and Nihal, while Vantika went down in the sixth and last board. Immediately after the games were over, Armenia preferred an Appeal to the Arbiters’ citing that the loss of GM Martirosyan Haik M to India’s Nihal Sarin, was not an internet fault from their side & that of https://www.chess.com/ server. The Arbiters’ & subsequently Appeals Committee turned down Armenia’s appeal, upon which Armenia decided to withdraw from  FIDE Online Olympiad 2020. The withdrawal of Armenia saw India move into the semi-finals.

Complete Results : http://chess-results.com/tnr533510.aspx?lan=1&art=3&turdet=YES&flag=30