Outlook , India
May 30 2006

Indian eves beaten by Armenia in Chess Olympiad

FROM OUR CHESS CORRESPONDENT TURIN, MAY 30 (PTI)

Indian mainstay Koneru Humpy had a rare off day as India suffered
defeat for the second successive day, going down 1-2 against Armenia
in the Women’s Chess Olympiad here.

Humpy fumbled against Lilit Mkrtchian to encounter her first defeat
in the event and Woman Grandmaster D Harika also had a similar fate
in store. The saving grace was National Women champion and WGM Swati
Ghate who won an engrossing battle to thwart a whitewash.

Russian eves could manage only a draw with the United States, thus
giving a ray of hope to Ukraine who narrowed the lead once again to
just half a point after a 2-1 victory over Hungary.

As things stand, Russia on 19 points is followed by Ukraine on 18.5
while USA and China are a distant third with 17 points apiece.

After today’s debacle, the Indian team is struggling on 14.5 points
and share 18th spot with just five rounds to come.

In the next round, India is slated to meet Kazakhstan.

The Russian team rested its top player Alexandra Kosteniuk and in her
absence Tatiana Kosintseva took board one to beat Anna Zatonskih.

However, on the second board Russian aspirations suffered a setback
as Nadezhda Kosuintseva lost to Iruna Krush and a draw on the third
board between Ekaterina Kovalevskaya and Rasudan Goletiani led to the
sharing of honours.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress