chessbase india logo

World Women’s Team 2021 R3-4: India advances to the Quarterfinals with a round to spare

by Shahid Ahmed - 29/09/2021

India has advanced to the Quarterfinals at FIDE World Women's Team Championship 2021. They defeated Armenia 2.5-1.5 in the third round and lost to CFR Team (Russia) 3-1 in the fourth round. Harika played solid and drew both of her games, Tania and Bhakti scored important victories to ensure India's victory against Armenia, Vaishali lost both of her games, Mary drew her only game. Both Vaishali and Mary had good chances against Kosteniuk and Shuvalova respectively. India may have lost the Pool stage match against Russia, but a potential rematch in the knockout stage will definitely be an interesting one. Round 5 starts today at 3 p.m. CET (6:30 p.m. IST). Photo: Niki Riga/FIDE

Tania and Bhakti help India beat Armenia

IMs Tania Sachdev and Bhakti Kulkarni scored important victories for the team to beat Armenia in the third round of FIDE World Women's Team Championship 2021.

Tania Sachdev beat Anna Sargsyan (ARM) in Round 3 | Photo: Niki Riga/FIDE

The tournament logo | Photo: FIDE

Round 3: India - Armenia: 2.5-1.5

Harika drew, Vaishali lost, Tania and Bhakti won their respective games in the third round against Armenia. Tania scored a nice victory against WGM Anna Sargsyan.

Tania - Anna Sargsyan

Position after 16.Nf3

White improved her position after 16...Nxf3 17.gxf3 Qe7 18.f4 and eventually launched an attack on the kingside.

IM Bhakti Kulkarni's bishop pair proved to be deadly against WIM Susanna Gaboyan's knights in the endgame.

Coach GM Abhijit Kunte with the winning duo Bhakti and Tania | Photo: Niki Riga/FIDE

Harika drew with GM Elina Danielian (ARM) | Photo: Niki Riga

India defeated Armenia 2.5-1.5

Round 4: CFR Team (Russia) - India: 3-1

Harika and Mary drew their respective games GM Aleksandra Goryachkina and IM Polina Shuvalova. Vaishali and Tania lost their games against GM Alexandra Kosteniuk and GM Kateryna Lagno. Harika had a hard-fought draw against Goryachkina.

Vaishali had Kosteniuk on the ropes in the middlegame.

Vaishali - Kosteniuk

Position after 25...Qh5

The position looks absolutely pleasant for White. 26.Ne2 followed by Ng3, Rd4 would have been fantastic. White slowly loosened the grip and eventually blundered a knight probably under time scramble to lose the game.

Mary had a clear advantage against IM Polina Shuvalova.

Position after 24...Nfe4

One of the best chance White had in the game was after 24...Nfe4. Try to find the best continuation for White here.

Mary played fantastic against Shuvalova | Photo: Niki Riga/FIDE

CFR Team (Russia) beat India 3-1

The tournament hall | Photo: Niki Riga/FIDE

Total 48 women play in any round of the Pool stage | Photo: Niki Riga/FIDE

A total of 60 players are taking part in this event from twelve nations | Photo: Niki Riga/FIDE
World Women's Team Chess Championship 2021 - Round 3 Live Commentary by GM Stuart Conquest and WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili | Video: FIDE
World Women's Team Chess Championship 2021 - Round 4 Live Commentary by GM Stuart Conquest and WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili  | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 3 and 4 games of India

Schedule

Pool Stage: Monday 27th September

Round 1 - 3:00 p.m. CET (6:30 p.m. IST)

Round 2 - 6:00 p.m. CET (9:30 p.m. IST)

 

Tuesday 28th September

Round 3 - 3:00 p.m. CET (6:30 p.m. IST)

Round 4 - 6:00 p.m. CET (9:30 p.m. IST)

 

Wednesday 29th September

Round 5 - 3:00 p.m. CET (6:30 p.m. IST)

 

Quarterfinals: Thursday 30th September

Match 1 - 3:00 p.m. CET (6:30 p.m. IST)

Match 2 - 6:00 p.m. CET (9:30 p.m. IST)

Tie-breaks - 8:30 p.m. CET (Friday 12:00 a.m. IST)

 

Semifinals: Friday 1st October

Match 1 - 3:00 p.m. CET (6:30 p.m. IST)

Match 2 - 6:00 p.m. CET (9:30 p.m. IST)

Tie-breaks - 8:30 p.m. CET (Friday 12:00 a.m. IST)

 

Finals Saturday 2nd October

Match 1 - 3:00 p.m. CET (6:30 p.m. IST)

Match 2 - 6:00 p.m. CET (9:30 p.m. IST)

Tie-breaks - 8:30 p.m. CET (Friday 12:00 a.m. IST)

Time Control

The time control is 45 minutes + 10 seconds increment for the entire game, for tie-breaks - 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations