India shocked second seed Azerbaijan 2.5-1.5 to move into joint lead at the end of the third round in the world Team Championship that is taking place at Bursa in Turkey on January 7, 2010. Birthday Boy Krishnan Sashikiran lead India to this memorable win. Sasikiran celebrated his 29th birthday on January 7. India could not have asked for more from this 1981-born player from Chennai. His parents worked in banks and his father S.Krishnan was also a chess player representing Reserve Bank of India.
Six teams are leading with four points and it includes India, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, USA and Israel. Each team which wins 2.5-1.5 or 4-0 get two match points and one match point for 2-2 draw and zero points for a defeat. Six rounds remain to be played. India faces Turkey on January 8 and Adhiban might get to replace G.N. Gopal from the last team.
Round three was eventful as both the overnight leaders were felled. India came from behind to defeat Azerbaijan while Russia proved what top class chess was in inflicting 3-1 defeat on the United States.
Indians pulled up after Gopal lost on the fourth board in a remarkable way. Mamedyarov was too strong for Gopal and his king side offensive saw no stopping. Harikrishna was in trouble but Radjabov's time trouble and poor knight placing came as a silver lining for India. Finally, Radjabov took a draw by perpetual checks. Azerbaijan were ahead 1.5-0.5 on their white boards.
India made a 2-0 sweep in our white boards and wins were provided by Krishnan Sasikiran and Surya Shekhar Ganguly. On the third board, Ganguly had Gadir Guseinov under the pedal for long with the white pieces and would not take his pressure off even after winning a pawn. Guseinov levelled pawns but Ganguly's queen and rook combined for a mating net. scores were level 1.5-1.5.
Sasikiran is an excellent team man. He sacrificed two pawns in the Nimzo-Indian defence opening with the white pieces. Gashimov returned the material to enter what seemed a level rook and opposite colour bishop ending. Sasikiran trooped in with his rook to win a pawn and created chances. Gashimov blundered a bishop and Sasikiran converted the material for India's memorable triumph.
India is playing the World Team Championship for the first time. In short time, the team was selected and the coach from Israel (Lev Psakhis) was flown to Bursa in Turkey. India's rating average was 2646 and Azerbaijan was 2715. Sasikiran and Ganguly have played a crucial role in our splendid showing so far. It is hard to believe that India is in lead. But that is the fact.
The results (round three): Turkey (0) lost to Armenia (4) 0.5-3.5, India (4) bt Azerbaijan (4) (K. Sasikiran bt Vugar Gashimov, P. Harikrishna drew with Teimour Radjabov, S.S. Ganguly bt Gadir Guseinov, G.N. Gopal lost to Shakhriyar Mamedyarov) 2.5-1.5, Russia (4) bt USA (4) 3-1, Egypt (2) bt Greece (2) 2.5-1.5, Israel (4) bt Brazil (2) 2.5-1.5.
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