India Thrash Canada 3.5-0.5

India Thrash Canada 3.5-0.5
By Arvind Aaron

India thrashed Canada 3.5-0.5 in the second round of the 41st Chess Olympiad that is taking place in Tromso, Norway on August 3, 2014.

The only Indian who drew was S.P. Sethuraman who held higher rated Eric Hansen, to a draw with the black pieces. Negi, Sasikiran and Adhiban posted wins on boards one, three and four.

In the upsets of the second round, both Norway teams made 2-2 draws. Norway-2 held second seed Ukraine to a draw with IM Urkedal shocking Ivanchuk on the top board. On table three, Finland drew Norway-1 2-2 after draws occurred on all four boards. Tomi Nyback drew Magnus Carlsen with the white pieces.

India, seed 19, take on Italy, seed 20 in round three. Nagi takes on Fabiano Caruana (Elo 2801) with black in the top board.

In women, Harika was fielded for the first time and India crushed 56th seed Denmark 3.5-0.5. Like in the men, our women also made a draw in board two. Tania Sachdev drew while Harika, Eesha Karavade and Mary Ann won on boards one, three and four.

India takes on seed 17 Kazakhstan in round three and Mary Ann Gomes has been rested for this game. All four Indians are higher rated and a positive result would be anticipated by Indian fans.

Nine rounds remain to be played in this team event that runs from August 1-14, 2014.