New format makes India's prospect in Chess Olympiad bright

New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) With the introduction of new format this year, India's chance in Chess Olympiad seems bright at Dresden, Germany.

The new format says the placing will be based on wins and not points. A 4-0 win and 2.5-1.5 win will give the same two points.

Also the yardstick, which measures success changing, can help strong teams like India.

The Indians, who finished 30th in men and 12th in women at Turin 2006, will be sponsored by India Cements to the tune of Rs 1 million.

Unlike in 2006, India will be facing the rivals at full force as the GM team includes Krishnan Sasikiran, Pentala Harikrishna, Surya Sekhar Ganguly, Sandipan Chanda, G N Gopal.

However, the women's team, headed by the reigning World Junior girls champion Dronavalli Harika, includes Tania Sachdev, Swati Ghate, Nisha Mohota and Mary Ann Gomes.

The coaches with the team are grandmasters Lev Psakhis of Israel for men, Elizbar Ubilava of Georgia for women.

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has also sent a coaching co-ordinator K Visweswaran.

From the Indian side, Gopal of Kerala (men) and Asian champion Tania of Delhi (women) will be making their debut.

Earlier, the AICF has conducted three preparatory camps for both the men and women teams and the last camp started in Dresden, Germany on November 4.

Armenia (men) and Ukraine (women) are the defending champions in the game.

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