The Indian women's team came up with an inspired performance to beat Croatia 2.5-0.5 in the third round of the women Chess Olympiad in Turin.
After a first round 3-0 triumph followed by a drawn result against Venezuela, this was an excellent victory by the young side that propelled the team up to ninth spot in the standings.
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While only Lithuania emerged with a perfect score, defending champions China dropped a half point against France en route to a 2.5-0.5 victory after Zhao Xue was held to a draw by former Moldovan Almira Skripchenko.
As things stand, China and Russia, which whitewashed Poland 3-0, share the second spot on 8.5 points each while Ukraine and Romania are in close pursuit with 8 points to their credit.
USA, Bulgaria and Israel are next in line on 7.5 points apiece while the Indian team stands sole ninth with seven points.
In the next round, the eves are slated to play former champions Georgia and it is likely to be a tough contest.
Interestingly, the think-tank has decided to rest Dronavalli Harika in this important clash and Women Grandmaster Swati Ghate will be back in action.
Koneru Humpy yet again displayed top form in cruising past Mirjana Medic of Croatia who played black. It was a Queen pawn game where Humpy had to use her positional expertise to score a fine victory.
From the Indian perspective it is important that Humpy not only plays all the games but also scores very heavily and so far the Andhra girl has been in fine fettle as this was her hird victory on the trot.
The strategy of giving Swati Ghate a rest after her loss o Monday worked fine for the team as debutant Mary Ann Gomes rushed Vlasta Macek on third board.
However, for the second day running the technique of Harika was found wanting as she let a better position slip out of hand against talented Croatian youngster Lara Stock. Under time pressure, Harika decided to play safe in the end.
From their victory in the third round it becomes apparent that the Russian women mean business. The 12th seed Polish women are supposedly a good team with the ability to outwit
any opposition but against the trio of Alexandra Kosteniuk, and Kosintseva sisters -- Natalia and Nadezhda -- the Polish challenge fell like nine pins.
Important results round 3: France (6.5) lost to China (8.5) 0.5-2.5; Lithuania (9) beat Latvia (6) 3-0; Russia (8.5) beat Poland (5.5) 3-0; Israel (7.5) beat Hungary (6.5) 2-1; Ukraine (8) beat Mongolia (5.5) 3-0; USA (7.5) beat Cuba (5.5) 2.5-0.5; Romania (8) beat Italy A (6) 2.5-0.5; Ecuador (6.5) drew with Germany (6.5) 1.5-1.5; Georgia (6.5) drew with Slovenia (6.5) 1.5-1.5; Bosnia and Herzegovina ( 5.5) lost to Bulgaria (7.5) 0.5-2.5; Mexico (6) lost to Armenia (6.5) 1-2; India (7) beat Croatia (5) 2.5-0.5; Vietnam (5.5) lost to Greece (6.5) 1-2; Spain (6) drew with Turkey (6) 1.5-1.5; Iran (5) lost to Netherlands (6) 1-2; Czech Republic (6) beat Turkmenistan (5) 2-1; Finland ( 4.5) lost to Belarus (6.5) 0.5-2.5; Canada (5) lost to Estonia (6) 1-2; Indonesia (5.5) drew with Argentina (5) 1.5-1.5; Colombia (4) lost to Slovakia (6) 0.5-2.5.
Indian board results: Koneru Humpy beat Mirjan Medic; Lara Stock drew with D Harika; Mary Ann Gomes beat Vlasta Macek.