Spain surprise Russia in Chess Olympiad for the Blind

Chennai - Spain found an unlikely hero in FIDE Master Desnjose Candalija who helped them upset top seed and defending champions Russia in the third round of World Chess Olympiad for Blind here on Sunday.

Spain, United Kingdom and Germany shared the lead with six match points apiece after the third round.

Russia, who eked out a last-gasp victory over Serbia in the previous round, only managed three draws in the last three boards against Spain, even as International Master Meshkov Yuri went down in the first board to FM Desanjose Candalija. The lone win helped Spain move past Russia 2.1-1.5.

International Master Colin Crouch helped United Kingdom to move to the top of table by scoring a quick victory in the first board as his team went on to beat Poland 2.5-1.5.

Germany, playing in the third table, upset higher seeded Ukraine 3-1 by scoring in the bottom two boards, and splitting the points in the first and second boards.

India ‘A’ beat Bulgaria 2.5-1.5, as Swapnil Shah and Kishan Gangolli scored crucial victories in the middle boards over Todorov Aleksandar and Patev Petvo, respectively.

Bulgarians restored parity when International Master Nizam Rasim (ELO 2232) defeated Krishna Udupa in the top board.

With a 2-1 lead, and needing a draw to settle the issue, Gujarat lad Darpan Inani faced an uphill task in the fourth board. A two-pawn deficit against Kichukov Milko appeared to be too big an ask when the Bulgarian succumbed to Darpan’s pressure tactics, missed a win and settled for a draw in the fifth hour of play.

The results (third round): Russia (4) lost to Spain (6), United Kingdom (6) beat Poland (4), Germany (6) beat Ukraine (3), India “A” (5) beat Bulgaria (3), Italy (2) lost to Serbia (4), Turkey (0) lost to Iran (3), South Africa (0) lost to Slovakia (2).