Date:29/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/29/stories/2008122955681500.htm

Sport - Chess

Club India shocks Fajr Sham

Chennai: An all-International Master team from India, Club India, shocked an all-Grandmaster team from Iran, Fajr Shams Chess Club, in the third round of the Asian club chess championship at Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

The seventh-seeded Indian team was powered by victories by the two Chennai players Rajaram Laxman and P. Karthikeyan who were impressive with the black pieces against GM Mikhail Kobalia (Russia) and GM Tigran Petrosian (Armenia).

The Club India team won 3-1 after Deep Sengupta of Kolkata and Prathamesh Mokal of Pune drew on the white boards against GM Ghaem Maghami (Iran) and GM Arman Pashikian (Armenia).

Four teams including Club India, Tagastay (Phillipines), Al-Ain (UAE) and Qi Yuan Club (China) have posted three wins from three rounds. There are 30 teams in the race for the 1st Asian Club Cup which will conclude on January 1. — Arvind Aaron