Anand to defend title in Russia

Moscow: Reigning champion Vishwanathan Anand will defend his World Chess Championship title against challenger Boris Gelfand of Israel at Skolkovo, near here, in May next year.

“The match between Viswanathan Anand and his official challenger Boris Gelfand will be held at Skolkovo in May 2012,” Fide president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov announced here on Tuesday at a news conference.

The women’s final will be held in Albanian capital Tirana in November 2011. “Incumbent champion Hou Yifan of China and her official challenger Koneru Humpy of India will fight for the title,” Ilyumzhinov said.

Girish wins

Chennai: Fide Master Girish A Koushik continued his terrific run with an upset win over second seed Russian Grandmaster Sanan Sjugirov in the seventh round of the 50th World Junior Chess Championship here on Tuesday.

With this win, Girish has moved to second place.

Another Indian IM Vidit Santosh Gujarathi beat GM Alkeksandr Shimanov of Russia.
In the women’s category, WGM Padmini Rout of Orissa defeated WFM Fatalieva Ulyivvya Hasil Qizzi of Azerbaijan.

Priya gets gold

Pune: Priya Agarwal upstaged seasoned campaigners Suma Shirur and Anjali Bhagwat to clinch the women’s 10m air rifle title at the Gun For Glory Shooting championship at the Balewadi ranges on Tuesday.

Balwinder up

Incheon: Balwinder Beniwal became the third Indian boxer to make it to the semi-finals at the 2011 ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in Incheon. Balwinder who fought into the 64 kg category paved the way for his second international medal with a resounding triumph.

Dipika advances

New Delhi: Saurav Ghosal bowed out in the first round of the PSA World Series Viridian Australian Open in Canberra, on Tuesday. Ghosal lost to Stewart Bosewell 12-14, 2-11, 5-11 in 40 minutes. In the women’s event, Dipika Pallikal defeated qualifier Amanda Landers Murphy from New Zealand 11-4 11-8 11-2 to advance to the pre-quarters.

Aditya best

Chennai: Aditya Mehta of Mumbai defeated former champion, Alok Kumar of Punjab 6-2 to clinch the title in the 78th National snooker championship here on Tuesday.

Mehta took three hours in the best of 11 format final to demolish Alok Kumar 66-6, 6-63, 72-65, 67-41, 67-10, 74-58, 43-52, 82-5.

Michael post

Brisbane: Former Test paceman Michael Kasprowicz replaced Matthew Hayden Tuesday as Queensland’s director on the Cricket Australia board.

Hayden stood down from the national and Queensland cricket boards last month, because he will play for the Brisbane Heat in the revamped Big Bash Twenty20 tournament.

Agencies