Gulf News (United Arab Emirates)
December 29, 2013 Sunday
Babu, Awonder first to World Youth Chess titles
by Yasir Abbasher Senior Reporter
Al Ain: India's Praggnanandhaa Ramesh Babu and Liang Awonder of the US
secured their titles at the 13th World Youth Chess Championship with a
round to spare on Friday, the penultimate day of the event. Babu
ensured he remained unchallenged in the Under-8 category after ten
rounds while Awonder also notched his tenth victory in as many rounds
to take the Under-10 title.
Babu and Awonder sealed their titles with 10 points apiece and the
results of the final round, which was played on Saturday, were
inconsequential to them since both players were already two points
clear of their nearest rivals.
Most of the titles in the other groups were to be decided in the 11th
round on Saturday. In the Girls' competitions, six players shared the
lead of the Under-8 group and were due to face each other to arrive at
a winner. In the case of ties at the end of the competition, the Swiss
tiebreaking system will be applied to decide the winners.
India's Saina Salonika was the closest to winning the Under-10 girls
group as she led with 8.5 points. Saina only needed a draw against
Motahara Asadi of Iran with 8 points to claim the title. The Iranian
player needs to win the match to win the title.
In the Under-12 category, Chinese player Zhao Shengxin shared the lead
with Gabriela Antova from Bulgaria. The last round was to decide
whether Zhao or Antova emerge champions with both players level on 8.5
points going into it.
Russian Anna Vasenina led the Under-14 category with only half-a-point
in the match against Bakhora Abdulsattorova of Uzbekistan separating
her from the title.
Iranian Sarasadat Khademalsharieh was in the lead of the Under-16
girls' category with 8.5 points with her match against Spaniard Irene
Nicolas Zapata (7.5) becoming all-important in deciding the winner.
In the Under-18 category, Nastassia Ziaziulkina of Belarus and Russian
Lildia Tomnilkova were also looking to the results of their last round
matches with both players sharing the lead with eight points each.
Armenian Aram Hakobyan was in a more comfortable position in the
Under-12 Open with nine points and was due to face Robby Kevlishvili
of The Netherlands, who had tallied eight points, in the last match.
Chin's Di Li had the lead in the Under-14 category with nine points
making his last match against Saparmyrat Atabayev of Turkmenistan with
8.5 points decisive for his title prospects.
Four players shared the lead in the Under-16 boys event and the
results of the final matches were awaited to decide the winner.
Iran's Pouya Idani had the lead in the Under-18 event with eight
points, three competitors close behind on 7.5 points each.
From: Baghdasarian
December 29, 2013 Sunday
Babu, Awonder first to World Youth Chess titles
by Yasir Abbasher Senior Reporter
Al Ain: India's Praggnanandhaa Ramesh Babu and Liang Awonder of the US
secured their titles at the 13th World Youth Chess Championship with a
round to spare on Friday, the penultimate day of the event. Babu
ensured he remained unchallenged in the Under-8 category after ten
rounds while Awonder also notched his tenth victory in as many rounds
to take the Under-10 title.
Babu and Awonder sealed their titles with 10 points apiece and the
results of the final round, which was played on Saturday, were
inconsequential to them since both players were already two points
clear of their nearest rivals.
Most of the titles in the other groups were to be decided in the 11th
round on Saturday. In the Girls' competitions, six players shared the
lead of the Under-8 group and were due to face each other to arrive at
a winner. In the case of ties at the end of the competition, the Swiss
tiebreaking system will be applied to decide the winners.
India's Saina Salonika was the closest to winning the Under-10 girls
group as she led with 8.5 points. Saina only needed a draw against
Motahara Asadi of Iran with 8 points to claim the title. The Iranian
player needs to win the match to win the title.
In the Under-12 category, Chinese player Zhao Shengxin shared the lead
with Gabriela Antova from Bulgaria. The last round was to decide
whether Zhao or Antova emerge champions with both players level on 8.5
points going into it.
Russian Anna Vasenina led the Under-14 category with only half-a-point
in the match against Bakhora Abdulsattorova of Uzbekistan separating
her from the title.
Iranian Sarasadat Khademalsharieh was in the lead of the Under-16
girls' category with 8.5 points with her match against Spaniard Irene
Nicolas Zapata (7.5) becoming all-important in deciding the winner.
In the Under-18 category, Nastassia Ziaziulkina of Belarus and Russian
Lildia Tomnilkova were also looking to the results of their last round
matches with both players sharing the lead with eight points each.
Armenian Aram Hakobyan was in a more comfortable position in the
Under-12 Open with nine points and was due to face Robby Kevlishvili
of The Netherlands, who had tallied eight points, in the last match.
Chin's Di Li had the lead in the Under-14 category with nine points
making his last match against Saparmyrat Atabayev of Turkmenistan with
8.5 points decisive for his title prospects.
Four players shared the lead in the Under-16 boys event and the
results of the final matches were awaited to decide the winner.
Iran's Pouya Idani had the lead in the Under-18 event with eight
points, three competitors close behind on 7.5 points each.
From: Baghdasarian