Indian challenge ends abruptly in World Cup Chess

Indian challenge in the World Chess Cup ended abruptly after three of their Grandmasters wilted under pressure and lost their must-win games here.

Grandmasters Surya Shekhar Ganguly, Krishnan Sasikiran and Sandipan Chanda lost their return games with identical 0-2 margins against their respective opponents to bow out of the prestigious event.

All the three Indians out of the seven that started the tournament had lost the first game and needed victories in their return games to remain in the fray.

Sandipan Chanda went for the King’s Indian defense but it did not turn out be a good tactic against Russian Dmitry Jakovenko who seized the initiative early in the middle game.

Chanda tried in vain for counterplay by sacrificing a pawn but ended up losing another in quick time. The Russian gave no chance to the Indian thereafter and wrapped up the game.