India wins Youth Chess Olympiad

The Indian team which won the YouthChess Olympiad in China.

India won the Youth Chess Olympiad at Chongqing, China, on Monday. In the final round, second-seeded India thrashed Iran 3.5-0.5 to take its tally to 18 points, one point ahead of top seed Russia, which finished runner-up. Turkey came third with 15 points.

In the 10th round of the premier World team championship in the under-16 category, India won three out of its four games, as Shardul Gagare defeated Ahmad Asgari Zadeh, Diptayan Ghosh beat Shahin Lorpari Zangeneh and Sayantan Das triumphed over Syed Khalil Mousavi Palatkaleh. M. Karthikeyan drew with Sarasadat Khademalsharieh.

Plenty to cheer

The Indians had plenty to cheer about on the individual boards too, winning medals on all the four boards. Shardul and Karthikeyan won the bronze on the first and second boards respectively. Diptayan Ghosh took the silver on the third board, while Sayantan Das struck gold on the fourth. Gireman Jagadeesan is the fifth member of the Indian team.

The results (10th round): India bt Iran 3.5-0.5; Russia bt Australia 1 2.5-1.5; Turkey bt China 2 2.5-1.5; Hungary bt WXXL Chess Club 4-0; Georgia drew with China 2-2; USA 2 bt Middle School Chess Club 2.5-1.5; SCWY Training Centre bt Kazakhstan 2.5-1.5; Czech Republic bt Malaysia 2.5-1.5; BJHD Training School bt Slovenia 2.5-1.5.

The standings:

1. India 18 points;

2. Russia 17;

3-4. Turkey & Hungary 15;

5-8. China 1, United States 2, SCWY Training Centre & Iran 14;

9-14. China 2, Australia 1, Vietnam, BJHD Training School, Georgia & Czech Republic 13.