Date:12/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/12/stories/2008101255431600.htm

Sport - Chess

Indian Bank wrests sole lead

Chennai: Former champions Indian Bank wrested sole lead at the end of the fourth round in the Ramco Tamil Nadu State Team Chess Championship which is being played at the Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.

Chess captain of Indian Bank, former National ‘A’ player V. Hariharan played the pivotal role in making the difference between the teams as he scored on the fourth board after the top three games ended in draws. His victory placed Indian Bank in the lead on 12 points out of possible 16.

Hariharan, aged 52, overcame teenaged Bavan Kumar in 46 moves with the white pieces from a Bishop’s opening. “I was able to regroup and enter a good knight versus bad bishop ending,” said Hariharan about the win.

Having to play two crucial rounds or eight games, Indian Bank’s half point lead on 12/16 may not be a good cushion. Top seed Southern Railway and SRM University are closely behind in second place on 11.5 points. Any of these three teams can win the title this time.

The students from SRM University did well to hold full strength Southern Railway team to a 2-2 draw.

The results (Round four): SRM University (11.5) drew with Southern Railway (11.5) 2-2, Bloom Chess Academy (11) lost to Indian Bank (12) 1.5-2.5, Jawahar Vidyalaya (10.5) bt Chennai District (9.5) 3-1, BSNL (7.5) lost to Dragon Chess Academy (10) 1-3, Kanyakumari-A (8.5) bt Shakthi Academy (7.5) 2.5-1.5. — Arvind Aaron