Debashis returns with Olympiad gold and silver

Orissa’s second highest rated player Debashis Das returned home today after winning a gold and a silver medal in the World Youth (Under-16) Chess Olympiad at Turkey two days ago. Family members and officials State chess fraternity accorded warm welcome to Debashis at the Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar for winning the individual gold in the second board and the silver in team championship. He was the best performer of the five-member Indian team, scoring 7.5 points with seven wins, one draw and one defeat. Debashis expressed joy for winning the two medals and gaining 18 rating points, but felt sorry for not being able to help the country win the team title for the third time in a row. Top seed Russia pipped defending champions India by two (30-28) points to clinch the gold medal. India won against Sri Lanka, England 4-0, beat Georgia 3-1, beat Turkey-T 2.5-1.5, lost to Russia 1-3, beat Uzbekistan 3-1, beat Azerbaijan, Hungary 2.5-1.5, lost to Armenia 1.5-2.5, beat Turkey-G 4-0. India had won the 2007 edition at Singapore and 2008 edition at Turkey and were looking for a hat-trick. Cuttack boy Debashis said the 18 rating points he gained from the World Youth Olympiad had taken him closer to the 2400 mark and the International Master title. ‘‘My rating has gone up to 2382 and I need 18 more rating points to clinch the IM title,’’ he explained. Speaking about his next goal, Debashis said: ‘‘I will join the National coaching camp later this month at Chennai for the World Junior Championship, which would be held at Argentina from October 21 to November 4. I won a bronze medal in the last edition of the World junior meet and this time I am hoping to win the gold.’’ PHOTO: TOP: World Youth Chess Olympiad gold medallist Debashis Das is greeted on his return from Turkey in Bhubaneswar on Oct 4, 2009. BOTTOM: World Youth Chess Olympiad gold medallist Debashis Das with his family in Bhubaneswar on Oct 4, 2009.