World Junior Chess Championship sees Vidit Gujrathi off to a flying start

Vidit Gujrathi (right)

Vidit Gujrathi got off to a flying start by quickly winning the first round of the World Junior Chess Championship which commenced at Hotel Hyatt, Pune today. The long 13-round gruelling event sponsored by LIC kicked off with 137 players from 50 countries and 78 participants in the Girls Category. The co-sponsors for this event are Amanora, Everstone, Jain Irrigation, ONGC with a substantial financial assistance from Government of Maharashtra. Second seed Robin Van Kampen also quickly won his game against Jan Rindlisbacher of Switzerland with Black pieces in 28 moves after adopting the Sicilian Defence.

FM Rakesh Kumar Jena rated 2164 created a flutter when he held higher rated and 10th seed GM Grigoryan of Russia to a draw after 30 moves of a Sicilian Defence.

Vidit the fourth seed was pitted against compatriot Ritviz Parab rated 71^st with the Black pieces and opted for a super sharp –Sicilian defence against the King Pawn Opening. “ I had decided to play aggressively and am happy that my gamble played off as I managed to get an advantageous position early on” beamed Vidit after the game.

A tentative and timid pawn push in the centre on the 15th turn by Ritviz had Vidit immediately pushing his pawn more boldly in the centre to get advantage. Another wrong queen move on the next turn had Vidit smelling victory and his queen, rook and knight soon swung into action to decide the game in his favour after 23 moves.

Iranian player FM AmirKousarania (2331) missed his flight and hence was not paired in the first round. He will begin his campaign from the second round.

In the girls section WIM Zhao Mo of China defeated WFM San Diego Marie Antoinette.