India ‘B’ women stun ‘A’

Indians win on opening day of Tata steel chessIndia B almost derailed the campaign of India A in the women’s section of the Tata Steel Asian team chess championship on Friday.

Joint leaders overnight, India A lost 1.5-2.5, which dashed their chances of emerging winners as Vietnam beat Iran to emerge sole leaders with seven points. India A and B with Singapore are second with five.

Bhakti Kulkarni scored a decisive win against Kruttika Nadig to hand India B win. Otherwise, Mary Ann Gomes, Nisha Mohta and Padmini Rout drew with D. Harika, Eesha Karwade and Tania Sachdev. In men’s, India A continued to lead with a 2.5-1.5 win over Vietnam despite top-seed P. Harikrishna’s loss against Le Quang Liem.