Vladimir Berlinsky is new world chess champion for blind

Margao, Oct 18 (UNI) Russian Vladimir Berlinsky was crowned the new champion in the XIth Individual World chess Championship for the Blind which concluded at Varca in South Goa today.

In the last 9th round, Vladimir beat Krylov Sergey (WC 1978), also from Russia, and topped the table with 7.5 points.

Despaigne Carlos Larduet from Cuba and Zsiltzova Lisenko Lubov (Ukraine) had seven points each, but, on a progressive score of 33.5 by Despaigne, he was placed second while Lubov had to be content with the third place with a progessive score of 33.

Despaigne beat Sergei Smirnov (Russia) while Zsiltzova beat his country-mate Sergej Wassin.

Krylov Sergey, who had a great chance to emerge champion with a good progressive score throughout the championship, after losing to Vladimir today, was relegated to the 4th place with 6.5 points.

Smirnov Sergei (Russia), Pribeanu Dacian (Romania), Scbellmann Frank (Germany), and Kai-Roger Johansen (Norway), also with 6.5 points each, finished 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th respectively.

Wassin Sergej (Ukraine), Guzynin Vasiliy (Russia), Avram Sretko and Miacnik Franc with 6 points each finshied 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th respectively. India's Udupa Krishna managed to secure the 37th place with 4.5 points.

The new world chess champion for the blind, Vladimir, was crowned at the hands of Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Manishankar Iyer.

UNI SRN MAZ SAM BST2230