India keep their medal hopes alive

Keeping their medal hopes alive, India ‘A’ came up with an inspired show defeating Kazakhastan 3-1 in the eighth round of the TATA 14th IBCA Chess Olympiad for the Blind 2012 on Saturday.

On the top table, overnight sole leader Russia drew Ukraine 2-2 to maintain their superior positition with 13 points. Ukraine, Germany and Spain share the second spot with 12 points followed by India ‘A’ (11 points), who will need a win on Sunday to have a shot at a podium finish.

Swapanil Shah and Kishan Gangolli gave India ‘A’ a solid start, hoding Maklushov Serik and Bibikov Yuriy of Kazakhastan to draws. With a 7/8 performance, Gangolli has played the superb sheet anchor for India’s chances in this Olympiad.

With 1-1 score on the cards, Darpan Inani and Makwana Ashvin exerted pressure on the Kazakhs. Darpan was the first to win, giving India ‘A’ an all important lead.

Makwana continued from where he left, and notched up victory to keep alive India’s chances for a medal.

Spain and Germany also kept themselves in medal contention scoring over Serbia and Venezuela respectively. The crucial penultimate round win takes Spain and Germany to the shared second spot along with Ukraine at 12 match points.