RSPB and AAI dominate Day 4 of National Team Chess Championship

Raipur: The battle for supremacy intensified at the 45th National Team Chess Championship (Open) and the 23rd National Women's Team Chess Championship on Thursday. Held in Raipur under the aegis of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Chess Association and the guidance of the All India Chess Federation, the fifth round of the Open category saw high-stakes encounters between the country's top Grandmasters.The highlight of the fifth round in the Open section was the clash between Telangana A and Railway Sports Promotion Board A (RSPB A), which ended in a 2-2 deadlock. On the top board, Adireddy Arjun of Telangana faced GM Visakh N R in an Italian Game. Despite Arjun's aggressive opening with the white pieces, Visakh maintained a solid defence, leading to a balanced middlegame and an eventual draw.Similarly, Pranay Akula held GM Diptayan Ghosh to a draw in a Queen's Gambit Declined. Ghosh displayed superior positional play with the black pieces, but Akula remained precise in the endgame to split the point.In other major results, Airports Authority of India (AAI) managed a 2-2 draw against Tamil Nadu B. While IM Aditya Dhingra and IM Nitin S secured wins for AAI, RSPB B registered a convincing 3.5-0.5 victory over Bihar A, powered by strong performances from IM Ayush Sharma, IM Aronyak Ghosh, IM Neelash Saha and GM Sayantan Das.In the fourth round of the 23rd National Women's Team Chess Championship, Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) and AAI continued their winning streaks to consolidate their positions at the top.PSPB secured a 4-0 clean sweep against Uttar Pradesh. WGM Mary Ann Gomes, IM Padmini Rout, WFM Arshiya Das and IM Nisha Mohota's clinical displays ensured a one-sided victory. In her match against Ishani Pathak, Mary Ann Gomes utilised the Sicilian Defence to seize control of the centre, eventually converting her advantage into a win through precise endgame technique.AAI defeated Telangana A 3-1, with WGM Priyanka Nutakki, WIM Arpita Mukherjee and WIM Priyanka K recording vital wins. Meanwhile, Maharashtra A beat LIC 3-1, and West Bengal A defeated Andhra Pradesh B 3.5-0.5.