Adhiban star of India’s win over Ukraine; Padmini helps India hold China

With two rounds to go, the result lifted India to the fourth spot, behind new leader China, favourite Russia and Poland. In the women’s section, Padmini Rout’s victory on the fourth board helped India hold China to a 2-2 draw.

B. Adhiban's win helped India move to fourth spot.

B. Adhiban pulled off a timely victory against Anton Korobov and paved the way for India’s 2.5-1.5 triumph over higher-rated Ukraine in the seventh round of the World team chess championship here on Saturday.

With two rounds to go, the result lifted India to the fourth spot, behind new leader China, favourite Russia and Poland.

India’s toughest test comes on Sunday when it faces a desperate Russia, which was surprised by China on this day.

In the women’s section, Padmini Rout’s victory on the fourth board helped India hold China to a 2-2 draw. India shares the fourth spot with Georgia, behind leaders Russia and Ukraine, and third placed China.

Seventh round results:

Open: Ukraine (4) lost to India (9) 1.5-2.5 (Ruslan Ponomariov drew with Vidit Gujrathi; Anton Korobov lost to B. Adhiban; Alexander Areshchenko drew with K. Sasikiran; Alexander Moiseenko drew with Parimarjan Negi); Russia (11) lost to China (12) 1.5-2.5; Turkey (8) lost to USA (8) 1-3; Norway (2) lost to Poland (10) 1.5-2.5; Egypt (0) lost to Belarus (6) 0.5-3.5.

Women: China (9) drew with India (8) 2-2 (Ju Wenjun drew with D. Harika; Tan Zhongyi drew with Tania Sachdev; Lei Tingjie bt Eesha Karavade; Guo Qi lost to Padmini Rout); Russia (12) bt Poland (7) 3.5-0.5; Azerbaijan (4) lost to Georgia (8) 1-3; Vietnam (5) drew with USA (5) 2-2; Egypt (0) lost to Ukraine (12) 1.5-2.5.