Pune: Pune Attackers team owned by Goel Ganga Group became the first team to enter the finals of the inaugural Johnson Tiles Maharashtra Chess League 2013 in progress at the PYC Gymkhana. In an all-out battle in the first semi-final, Pune prevailed over Ahmednagar Checkers with a 3.5-2.5 margin, a score which they appear to have patented in this event which is co sponsored by Amanora and organized by MCA and PDCC.
In the second semi-final Jalgaon Battlers defeated Nagpur Royals 4-2, most of the games going down to the last few minutes. GM Vidit Santosh Gujrati, Narayanan Srinath and Sameer Kathmale scored the much needed victories for the Jalgaon Battlers against IM Swapnil Dhopade and GM Sahaj Grover respectively while GM Tejas Bakre scored the lone victory for Nagpur Royals.
The finals are slated for tomorrow, Sunday at 5.00pm at the PYC Gymkhana where each team will field six players.
For the local team, IM Himanshu Sharma, GM M R LalithBabu and Amardeep Bartakke scored crucial victories while GM M R Venkatesh and Sagar Shah scored for Ahmednagar Checkers. The last encounter between Tania Sachdev and Akshayraj Kore ended in a draw. Himanshu and Amardeep pulled it off for the Pune Attackers by scoring over higher rated fancied opponents. G N Gopal and Shardul Gagare respectively. “ The ending was tricky with knights and pawns on board and with the clock ticking , it was vital to play precisely: said a much relieved Himanshu after beating the experienced Gopal who has donned India colours for many international events.
It was a tense Taimanov variation of the Sicilian defence between Gopal and Himanshu which would have gone either way. However after the exchange of pieces, Gopal appeared better but Himanshu who has almost made a habit of defeating GMs in events, maintained calm to win after 92 moves which incidentally was the longest game of the event.
Venkatesh versus Swati Ghate was more or less a one sided game with Venkatesh winning comfortably. Rucha Punjari blundered against Lalith Babu. Shardul Gagare’s decision to attack backfired and he ended on the losing side.
For the Nagpur Royals Tejas Bakre played superbly to defeat Eesha Karavade after 49 moves of a Queen Pawn Opening.
Results: Nagpur Royals (2) lost to Jalgaon Battlers (4) 2-4
Ahmednagar Checkers (2.5) lost to Pune Attackers (3.5)
