BHUBANESWAR 17-Oct-2018
GM Narayanan Srinath beat GM Xu Xiangyu on the second board to help host India hold China to a 2-2 draw in the opening round of the 3rd India-China Chess Summit 2018 here at International Chess Hall in KiiT University today.
China drew first blood as GM Lu Shanglei beat GM Murali Karthikeyan on the top board. In the Sicilian Classical system, Shanglei with white pieces went for English attack and and reached a Rook+2 pawns verses two minor pieces. He created a strong passed pawn on A file and won the game in a King and pawn endgame.
But India bounced back to level the score with a win on the second board. In a Petroff Defence game, Srinath got very active position in middle game when the Queen and Rook of his opponent GM Xu Xiangyu were passively placed. The color complex helped Srinath launch a strong initiative and win smoothly.
On the third board, young Indian GM Arvind Chithambaram opted for Nimzo-Indian Defence and faced the Leningrad system. After several exchange of pieces, both the players signed peace treaty after 31 moves.
On the fourth board, GM Aryan Chopra (India) launched English attack against Scilian Scheveningen variation of GM Xu Yinglun. With skillful play, Chopra reached pawn up end game with Rook & Bishop against Rook & Knight which fizzed to a theoretical draw in a wrong colour Bishop+Rook pawn end game.
The Summit is being jointly organised by All Odisha Chess Association (AOCA) and KIIT University, under the aegis of All India Chess Federation. Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha is the main sponsors of the event, which carries a total prize fund of Rs. 10 Lakhs.
RESULTS (Round-1): Board-1: GM Murali Karthikeyan lost to GM Lu Shanglei (0-1). Board-2: GM Narayanan Srinath beat GM Xu Xiangyu (1-1). Board-3: GM Aravindh Chithambaram drew with GM Bai Jinshi (1.5-1.5). Board-4: GM Aryan Chora drew with GM Xu Yinglun (2-2).
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PHOTO: Indian GM Narayan Srinath (Left) in action against his Chinese counterpart GM Xu Xiangyu in Bhubaneswar on October 17, 2018.
