Samriddhaa survives two massive scares at 27th The Telegraph Schools' 2018
Shahid Ahmed·7 min read
Reigning West Bengal State Women's champion and 6th seed of the tournament escaped from the brink of loss against Soumyajit Das of Aditya Academy school in round 5. In round 4 also she narrowly escaped a loss when she miscalculated a tactic. Top four seeds remained unscathed and they are in the lead along with six other players at 5.0/5. Biggest upset of round 4 was, former WB State sub-junior girls' champion Sudipa Haldar blundering a checkmate against Debargha Basu and Mortuza Mahathir Islam (BAN) lost against Srihaan Poddar (PHI). In the fifth round Srihaan caused another upset by defeating Soyamsree Mohanty of Odisha. The report contains photos, videos and games from round 4 and 5. Photo: Shahid Ahmed
You need a little bit of luck in everything you do. In today's case, Samriddhaa had all the luck on her side | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
In round 4, Samriddhaa Ghosh almost blundered a piece except her opponent Arijit Ghosh did not notice it. In Giuco Piano, she launched an overambitious attack which almost cost her a piece and the game. Fortunately opponent misplayed it and she managed to win eventually.
This is a typical position in Giuco Piano. What is the best continuation for White here?
Here is the final part of the game between Samriddha and Arijit in 4th round | Video: Shahid Ahmed
In round 5, Samriddhaa had a roller coaster of a game. She was losing for the better part of the game, however her opponent Soumyajit Das gave her some opportunity to get the full point but she was unable to capitalize due to time pressure. The game ended up in a draw eventually.
Samriddhaa speaks after escaping from the brink of loss in round 5 | Video: Shahid Ahmed
Samriddhaa played 55...Be4 here. What was the win for Black here?
55...Be4 was a mistake because White is winning now. Can you find out why?
Sudipa blunders mate against Debargha and Srihaan defeats Mortuza in round 4
Final moments of the game between Sudipa Haldar and Debargha Basu in round 4 | Video: Shahid Ahmed
White's pawns are marching towards promotion. Black has only one left trick left in his bag. Can you find it?
There was at least two easy ways for White to get a draw here. However, Sudipa blundered checkmate in one move due to time pressure.
Subhabrata Roy panicked in a seemingly equal position against fourth seeded Sanket Chakravarty | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
White just played 35.Ng4 with a simple threat. How should Black react?
WCM Noshin Anjum of Bangladesh defeated Anushka Gupta in the 4th round | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Noshin showed some brilliant tactics here after 18...Bxe5. Can you find it?
Among other upsets of round 4:
Mortuza Mahathir Islam (1614, BAN) lost to AGM Srihaan Poddar (1383, PHI)
Rajarshi Mondal (1569) drew with Debaprabho Gorai (1295)
Jyotisko Sengupta (1235, IND) drew with Sadnan Hasan Dihan (1944, BAN)
Ujaan Bhattacharya (1179) drew with Arijit Mukherjee (1566)
Kazi Zarin Tasnim (1627) drew with Debapriya Manna (1144)
Srihaan Poddar defeats Soyamsree Mohanty in round 5 and joins the leaders
Srihaan Poddar joins the leaders pack with a score of 5.0/5 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Koustav's King walk became the deciding factor in his fifth round victory | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Among other upsets in round 5:
Soham Bhattacharyya (1290) drew with Rajarshi Mandal (1569)
Alekhya Mukhopadhyay (1617) drew with Sankalan Shah (1314)
Soumalyo Mondol (1298) drew with Mortuza Mahathir Islam (1614)
Soham Pal (1554) lost to Ayantika Das (1261)
Subhabrata Roy (1525) drew with Sayan Biswas (1252)
Photo Gallery:
It's time to expand my limits | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Need a little bit of chocolate to recharge | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Cute corner: We can barely reach the pieces | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
The cute row | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Dressed to impress | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Hear no evil | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
We don't need chairs where we are going | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Girl power: A whole lot of girls are playing in the tournament | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Absolutely focused | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Even the small one can cast a long shadow | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Everyone has put their thinking cap on, I don't have mine | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
School chess championship means a lot of uniforms will be observed, meditation and yawn both can be seen too | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Interesting position can occur on anyone's board | Photo: Shahid Ahmed