AFTER impressive victories in the first round of the Maharashtra Challenge Match, both Indians — Vidit Gujrathi and Raunak Sadhwani — ended on the losing side against Peter Svidler and Nigel Short respectively on the second day of the tournament at Naivedhyam Northstar, Koradi, on Friday. According to reports, both Indians landed into severe time pressure, down to the last few seconds, literally playing on borrowed time. Sadhwani opened with the King Pawn and Nigel Short answered with the French Defence. Interestingly the French Defence enjoyed plenty of popularity in the 1990’s with Viktor Korchnoi, Jan Timman and Short employing it often and incidentally Short has authored a book titled ‘The French Defence’. “I have been playing the French Defence all my life,” smiled Short after the game but was quick to add, “I don’t recall exactly where I might have smelled a win.” Raunak opted for the sharp Winawar variation and keeping his King in the centre tried to attack Short’s King who had castled on the queen-side. Raunak tried to target Short’s King with his queen and rook but could not get much fizz into his attack.

The position appeared complicated with most pieces gracing the board and with Raunak running low on time, Short broke through in the centre, forcing the exchange of pieces and prompting Raunak’s resignation on the 35th turn.

The two knights variation in the Tarrasch between Peter Svidler and Vidit Gujrathi had both players pondering long in the Opening and it appeared at times that both were coursing on unknown territory and trying to recollect their Opening preparation. Vidit’s queen did try to make inroads into enemy territory but Svidler who kept pacing the tournament hall throughout the game forced the queen exchange on 17th turn. Vidit faltered and failed to play accurately and Svidler further forced the exchange of pieces to enter a favourable rook and pawn ending. Peter nursed his passed pawn to score a victory after 39 moves.