Astana (Kazakhstan): Grandmaster B Adhiban continued his heroics on the top board to down world junior champion Parham Maghsoodloo before India settled for a 2-2 draw with Iran in the World Team Chess Championship here.
Idani Pouya turned out to be the saviour for Iran as he defeated the experienced Krishnan Sasikiran on the second board while Surya Shekhar Ganguly and S P Sethuraman played out draws with Amin Tabatabae and Firouza Alireza on the third and fourth board.
The draws meant that the Indian men took their tally up to three points out of a possible four to be in fourth position in the standings with seven rounds still to come in the premier biennial team event of the world.
In the women’s section being organised simultaneously, India were held 2-2 by the local stars from Kazakhstan.
Bhakti Kulkarni kept things under control against Gulmira Dauletova to secure an important full point in a close encounter. Eesha Karavade played out a draw on the top board with Zhansaya Abdumalik while on the second, Soumya Swaminathan did her bit, drawing with Dinara Saduakassova.
On the third board however, Odisha’s Padmini Rout failed to find her form for the second day running, as she was beaten by Bibisa Assaubayeva.
The Indian women took their tally to two points from as many matches following their draw with Georgia in the first round match.
The Indian women currently are in fifth spot alongside Armenia.
PTI
