To play
winner of Russia, USA in the summit clash on Sunday
|
Chennai(Agencies):Koneru
Humpy took the spotlight as she beat Monika Socko in a nervy tie-break to help
India pip Poland in the semifinals and reach the summit clash of the FIDE
Online Chess Olympiad on Saturday.
After the two teams won one
round each in regular play, world rapid champion Humpy was pitted against Socko
for the Armageddon (a tie-break), and the Indian beat her rival in style with
black pieces to clinch a spot in the final for her side.
India will play the winner of
the other semifinal between Russia and the USA, in the summit clash on Sunday.
It was, however, not an easy
job for the Indian team as it lost the first round 2-4 before bouncing back
strongly in the second with a crushing 4.5-1.5 win. Humpy did the rest in the
match-deciding tie-break.
Former world champion
Viswanathan Anand came into his own with a much-needed win over Jan-Krzystof
Duda in 78 moves in the second round after losing to his opponent in the first
round.
Captain Vidit Gujrathi led the
way with a win over Gzegorz Gajeswki while Humpy and D Harika also posted
victories. Young prodigy R Praggnanandhaa, who replaced Nihal Sarin, was beaten
by Igor Janik while Vantika Agrawal drew with Alicja Silwicka.
In the first round, Anand was
tamed by Duda while Gujrathi lost to Radoslaw Wojtaszek and Divya Deshmukh was
beaten by Alicja Silwicka.
Humpy and Harika drew against
Socko and Karina Cyfika respectively while Sarin posted the only win for India,
beating Igor Janik, in the first round.
“We are through to the
finals!!!! Nerves of steel @koneruhumpy !!! great games by everyone!,” Divya
Deshmukh tweeted after the match. — PTI
No comments:
Post a Comment