New Delhi: The Indians team outclassed their Israeli counterparts 29.5-18.5 in the India-Israel 2012 match, a curtain raiser to the world chess championship later this year at Moscow.
Second highest rated Indian Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran paved the way for his team’s victory scoring a massive 7.5 out of a possible eight on the final day. Winning seven games in all, Sasikiran just conceded a single draw when he could not force matters against Vitali Golod in the rapid game.
Higher ranked on all four boards, the Indian victory was expected but the way it came might give reasons for smile to world champion Viswanathan Anand who plays the next match against Boris Gelfand of Israel in May this year.
The Indians had held a healthy lead in the opening round which they built on, on the final day as well.
The day started with Abhijeet Gupta striking form against Ilia Smirin in the blindfold game that he won without much ado. Sasikiran also caused the damage for the Israelis with a vital victory against Golod and by the time the final round began the Indian victory was only a matter of time.
From Israel’s perspective, Grandmaster Baron Tal was on the receiving end throughout the match and went on to lose all 12 games that he played against Indians.
The best Israeli player was Ilia Smirin who scored 8 points in all and was especially effective in the last round where he scored 3.5/4. International Master Gil Popliski scored 4.5 points while Vitali Golod ended up with six points in all.
Sasikiran was by far the best Indian as well as the best player in the meet scoring 9.5 points out of a possible 12. Abhijeet Gupta and B Adhiban scored an identical seven points while first day hero Gopal lost steam and ended up with six points in all.
Chairman of Airports Authority of India Mr. V P Agrawal distributed the prizes in a ceremony organized soon after the matches. The AAI sponsored the event.
Results:
Round-5 Blind Fold
1. GM Vitali Golod lost to GM Sasikiran K
2. GM Abhijeet Gupta beat GM Ilia Simirin
3. GM Gopal G N lost to IM Gil Popilski
4. GM Tal Baron lost to GM Adhiban B
Round-6 Rapid
1. GM Sasikiran K drew with GM Vitali Golod
2. GM Ilia Simirin beat GM Abhijeet Gupta
3. IM Gil Popilski lost to GM Gopal G N
4. GM Adhiban B beat GM Tal Baron
Round-7 Blitz-1
1. GM Vitali Golod lost to GM Sasikiran K
2. GM Abhijeet Gupta drew with GM Ilia Simirin
3. GM Gopal G N lost to IM Gil Popilski
4. GM Tal Baron lost to GM Adhiban B
Round-8 Blitz-2
1. GM Sasikiran K beat GM Vitali Golod
2. GM Ilia Simirin beat GM Abhijeet Gupta
3. IM Gil Popilski beat GM Gopal G N
4. GM Adhiban B beat GM Tal Baron
Round-9 Blind Fold
1. GM Sasikiran K beat GM Tal Baron
2. IM Gil Popilski lost to GM Abhijeet Gupta
3. GM Ilia Smirin beat GM Gopal G N
4. GM Adhiban B drew with GM Vitali Golod
Round-10 Rapid
1. GM Tal Baron lost to GM Sasikiran K
2. GM Abhijeet Gupta beat IM Gil Popilski
3. GM Gopal G N lost to GM Ilia Smirin
4. GM Vitali Golod beat GM Adhiban B
Round-11 Blitz-1
1. GM Sasikiran beat IM Gil Popilski
2. GM Tal Baron lost to GM Abhijeet Gupta
3. GM Adhiban B lost to GM Ilia Smirin
4. GM Vitali Golod beat GM Gopal GN
Round-12 Blitz-2
1. IM Gil Popilski lost to GM Sasikiran
2. GM Abhijeet Gupta beat GM Tal Baron
3. GM Ilia Smirin drew with GM Adhiban B
4. GM Gopal GN beat GM Vitali Golod
