World Team C'ship: Indian men meet Turkey

Indian men are riding high on some brilliant performances coming from Grandmaster B. Adhiban. But a sterner test awaits them in the last four rounds.

B. Adhiban has performed well for India at the World Team Chess Championship.

The Indian men will have their task cut out when they take on a spirited Turkey in the sixth round of the World Team Chess Championship here.

Indian men are riding high on some brilliant performances coming from Grandmaster B. Adhiban. But a sterner test awaits them in the last four rounds. If they can keep up the momentum, a podium finish looks very much on cards.

After the first five rounds of this 10-team round-robin event, Russia leads the table with nine (out of a possible 10) points, while China and Poland, with nine points, are second.

Beating Turkey is important for the Indian men as they are currently fourth (with seven points). The other two fancied teams — Ukraine and Russia — are virtually out of the race with just four points thus far.

It was a bad start for India as it lost to Poland and China in the first two rounds. But the team has seen an amazing resurgence ever since, as it beat Belarus, United States and Egypt in the following rounds.

After the match against Turkey, the team still has a tough task ahead as it is yet to play with Russia and Ukraine.

In the women’s championship being organised simultaneously, the Indians are on the third spot and need an inspired performance to win the championship.

Russia and Ukraine share the lead, with eight points apiece, while the Indian team has seven points for a sole third spot.