Schoolboy stuns GM

Schoolboy stuns GM
Dhananjay Khadilkar
Thursday, May 7, 2009 3:11 IST
Daily News & Analysis

Mumbai: The SSC marksheets are not out yet but Aditya Udeshi, who appeared for the 10th standard board exam this year, was ecstatic about his result. Not the one concerning his board exam but the shock victory over highly rated GM Alexander Zubarev of Ukraine.

The facile win by the 16-year-old local lad — a product of Vile Parle’s CNM school — over the Ukrainian GM on Wednesday was the highlight of the eighth round of Mayor’s Chess meet at the Goregaon Sports Club.

Playing white, Aditya, who holds one International Master norm and has an Elo rating of 2281, opened with his favourite e4 against Zubarev. The Ukrainian is rated almost 300 points higher than Aditya at 2566. The match soon developed into a Sicilian Najdorf with Aditya gaining advantage in the opening moves. “My opponent made a few dubious decisions due to which I gained an advantage as early as the ninth move,” he told DNA after the match.

Aditya consolidated his advantage and after the 13th move, it was clear that the Mumbaikar was in full control. “After the 13th move, I was both positionally and tactically strong,” he said.

Zubarev resigned in 25 moves. “I was under a bit of time pressure,” Aditya admitted after the match. “However, I am delighted by the result,” he said.

“Beating a GM in this tournament is a great experience especially considering that I had taken a break from chess to concentrate on my board exam,” he said.

Aditya is confident of improving his Elo ratings in this tournament. “Till now, I have gained around 30 points.” Wednesday’s win will put some more in his kitty.

Aditya has collected six points so far, one and a half points less than the sole leader, GM Alexander Areshchenko of Ukraine. Areshchenko beat compatriot GM Yaroslav Zinchenko in a tight match on the top board.

Here is the full story.