Chennai: Top seeds Russia emerged clear winners after the ninth and final round of the TATA 14th IBCA Chess Olympiad for the Blind 2012 at Hotel Le Royal Meridien, Chennai here today. Russia finished their engagements with 15 match points, clinching the team Gold. Taking the Silver and Bronze team medals were Ukraine and Spain respectively. Germany with 14 match points, tied for second spot with Ukraine and Spain, but finished fourth on tie-breaks.
India "A" went down 1.5 - 2.5 to Germany in a close match, losing their medal chances. But the silver lining was the performance of Kishan Gangolli who took the individual Gold medal in the third board. Undefeated Kishan came up with an impressive show, scoring 7.5 points from 9 rounds. With six wins and three draws, Kishan stood like a rock in the middle boards, and dictated India "A" team's fortunes. Support from Swapanil Shah, Darpan Inani and Makwana Ashvin helped India "A" to the fifth spot. In the history of Chess Olympiad for the blind, the fifth spot here is India's best.
Top seeds Russia came up with a powerful performance scoring a 3-1 victory over United Kingdom. Victories in boards two, three and four clinched the issue in favor of Russia.
International Master Colin Crouch reduced the margin for United Kingdom defeating International Master Meshkov Yuri in a hard fought game. The win helped Crouch clinch the top board Silver medal.
India "B" finished the last outing holding Turkey to a 2-2 draw., sharing the 18th place.
Final Placings :
1 Russia 15 match points, 2-4 Ukraine, Spain, Germany 14, 5 India 11, 6-9 Poland, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Croatia 10, 10-15 Kazakhastan, Serbia, Bulgaria, Columbia, Romania, Slovenia 9, 16-19 Sweden, Iran, India "B", Turkey 8, 20-21 Slovakia, Italy 7, 22 South Africa 6, 23 France 5, 24 Denmark 4 25 The Netherlands 1
Board Prize Winner's
Board 1
Gold - IM Pulvett Daniel (Venezuela)
Silver - IM Crouch Colin S (UK)
Bronze - FM Desanjose Candalija Eduardo (Spain)
Board 2
Gold - Shepelev Igor (Ukraine)
Silver - Ross Chris N (UK)
Bronze - Otero Harlen (Venezuela)
Board 3
Gold - Kishan Gangolli (India "A")
Silver - FM Gunajew Rafal (Poland)
Bronze - Smirnov Sergei (Russia)
Board 4
Gold - Yatsishin Ivan (Ukraine)
Silver - Alimkhanov Abdurashid (Kazakhstan)
Bronze - IM Krylov Sergey (Russia)
Board 5
Gold - FM Babarykin Stanislav (Russia)
Silver - Clemente Llamero Roberto (Spain)
Bronze - Pohlers Juergen (Germany)
Results (Round 9)
United Kingdom (10) lost to Russia (15), Germany (14) beat India "A" (11), Spain (14) beat Poland (10), Ukraine (14) beat Serbia (9), Venezuela (10) drew with Columbia (9), Slovenia (9) drew with Romania (9), Croatia (10) beat Iran (8), Sweden (8) drew with Kazakhastan (9), India "B" (8) drew with Turkey (8), Bulgaria (9) beat Denmark (4), France (5) drew with South Africa (6), Italy (7) beat The Netherlands (1).
