India looks up to Anand for a podium finish

Turin, Jun 2 (UNI) A lot would depend on Viswanathan Anand if the Indian men's team has to finish on the podium and the world number two will have to start with a win against Boris Gelfand when the side takes on Israel in the 11th round of the 37th Chess Olympiad here.

Indian men have 24.5 points after 10 rounds and another 10 in the remaining three rounds -- not an easy task by any means - might see them on the podium.

They need to win on the top board and Anand will have to win his matches to lift the team morale against.

To his delight, Anand's possible 11th round competitor Gelfand is not in top form and calmer head will prevail in the match.

Indian women team, currently sixth with 19.5 points, will look up to Grandmaster Koneru Humpy who was in scintillating form in the initial rounds, skipped a round with illness and after a minor hiccup, is back to her winning ways.

Humpy, Dronavalli Harika and Swati Ghate will have to come up with their best against Romania tomorrow and sustain the form in the subsequent rounds for a podium finish.

Pairing Round 11: Men: Armenia (29) vs Czech Republic (26.5); China (27) vs France (26); USA (25.5) vs Russia (26.5); Uzbekistan (25) vs Cuba (25); Romania (24.5) vs Georgia (24.5); Azerbaijan (24.5) vs Ukraine (24.5); Italy A (21.5) vs Italy B (21.5); Hungary (24.5) vs Denmark (24.5); India (24.5) vs Israel (24.5); Netherlands (24) vs Philippines(24) Women: Bulgaria (19.5) vs Ukraine (23); Georgia (20) vs Russia (22.5); China (20.5) vs Greece (19.5); India (19.5) vs Romania (19); USA (19) vs Slovenia (19); France (19) vs Armenia (19); Finland (15) vs Italy A (15); Hungary (18.5) vs Croatia (18.5); Poland (18.5) vs Latvia (18); Netherlands (18) vs Vietnam (17.5).

UNI XC AY RS1025