
Para chess: Molenda takes on Liplin for gold on exciting final day
Panaji: The battle for gold in the World Chess Championship for Persons with Disabilities at Dona Paula is going down to the wire.
On the final morning, three players will believe they have a chance to become champion as IM Molenda Marcin (Poland), FM Sargissyan Sargis (Armenia) and FM Lipilin Llia (Russia), all with 6.5 points each, jointly share the lead.
Most eyes will be on the first board as Molenda takes on the might of Lipilin in a decisive clash, while Sargissyan has been drawn to play FM Valenta Vit Vaclav (Czech Republic).
On Tuesday, IM Gurbanov Andrei (Israel) drew with Molenda in 16 moves in a Nimzo India defence opening, while on the second board, Liplin defeated FM Ayapov Alimzhan (Kazakhstan) in 55 moves against Caro kann defence opening.
On Board 3, Sargissyan kept himself in the hunt for the title after putting it across FM Soltanov Serik (Kazakhstan) in Reti Kings Indian attack opening in 65 moves.
Sargissyan stuttered in the middle with two draws from three games but has recovered well to pick up wins from two of his last three.
Dzenisenia Mikhail (Russia), Ayapov Alimzhan (Kazahkstan), Anfinogenov Artem (Russia), FM Valenta Vit Vaclav, Glazar Domagoj (Croatia) and IM Gurbanov Andrei (Israel) are in close contention with six points. CM Samarth Rao and FM Venkata Krishna Karthik K of India, along with Gedgafov Chamal (Russia), are with 5.5 points each.
The final round will be played on Wednesday morning.

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Time of India
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- Time of India
Players with disabilities checkmate odds with chess spirit
The World IPCA (International Physically Disabled Chess Association) Chess Championship was held in Asia for the first time Panaji: It's not winning but taking part that counts. It's a maxim made famous by the founder of the Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who said, 'The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well. ' Nowhere were the words more apt than at the World Chess Championship for Persons with Disabilities at Dona Paula, which ended on Wednesday. Just getting here, and taking part, was an achievement for many of the players. 'I got to learn a lot,' V S Sobethaa, a 12-year-old player with locomotor disability, told TOI. 'My dream is to become a grandmaster (the highest title in the sport), so I make it a point to train at least two hours every day. Chess provides me with a lot of joy.' For many like Sobethaa, who hails from Tamil Nadu, chess is more than just a sport. It helps her assimilate, and like she did at Dona Paula, win plaudits too. The youngster picked up a silver in rapid (U-15 category) and bronze in blitz. No wonder her twin, V S Shokshithaa, admitted that her sister was the better player. There were other 'success' stories too. Take Eshmuratov Abbas for example. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Private Jet - The Prices May Surprise You! Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo On a wheelchair, the player from Uzbekistan plays by indication of moves through movement of his retinas, with his father holding his chin for support. Abbas soon became the star attraction at the tournament with several people flocking to the venue to see him play. He had an impressive five wins from nine rounds and finished 35th among 97 participants. His achievement did not go unnoticed as chief minister Pramod Sawant handed him a special prize. Khlypovka Lada, a teenager from Russia, also proved to be a fine example of grit and determination. She missed four rounds due to surgery and hospitalisation, yet playing five rounds from her hotel bed, she maintained incredible focus to maintain an all-win record and pick up gold in the women's wheelchair category. She left Goa for the airport in an ambulance. 'It is only because of my love and respect for the participants that I made time to attend this special ceremony, even while the assembly session is in progress,' said CM Sawant. 'I congratulate all the winners, participants, and support teams from across the globe for showcasing determination and excellence throughout the championship.' FIDE flag countries comprising Russia and Belarus won 21 medals, which included 12 golds, to finish on top. India also picked up 21 medals but with just five golds had to settle for the second spot, ahead of Kazakhstan (nine medals, two golds) who finished third.


Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
Sargissyan rewarded with gold for persistence in final round
Sargis Sargissyan won the final round to finish with 7.5 points from nine rounds, good enough to make him the championship winner Panaji: On the night before the final round of the World Chess Championship for Persons with Disabilities at Dona Paula, Sargis Sargissyan could barely sleep. The Armenian FIDE Master (FM) was the third favourite to win the championship. Nothing was in his hands. Even if he had won the concluding round clash against FM Valenta Vit Vaclav, he would not be assured of the title. After all, there were two others -- Marcin Molenda and Ilia Lipilin – ahead of him. Playing on the top board, a victory for either of the top two would make them champion. As luck would have it, it ended in a predictable draw. Sargissyan's eyes lit up as he watched the two shake hands on the first board and agree to a draw. But there was work to be done. It took him close to four hours, but the Armenian persisted and eventually swept aside the challenge of Vaclav to emerge champion with 7.5 points in nine rounds. Molenda (Poland) settled for the silver, while Alimzhan Ayapov (Kazakhstan) took home the bronze after defeating second-seeded IM Andrei Gurbanov (Israel) in the concluding round. 'I never lost hope of securing a win,' Sargissyan later told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like China's humanoid robots generate more football excitement than their human counterparts CNA Read More Undo 'I knew a draw would not help me, so had to force a win. Even in the previous round, my opponent kept offering me a draw, but I refused, knowing I can convert this into a win.' In the penultimate round, Sargissyan had shown sharp tactical prowess to defeat Anfinogenov Artem of Russia in just 22 moves. For his belief alone, Sargissyan deserved the top honour. At the last IPCA World Individual Chess Championship at home, Sargissyan had seen the title slip out of his grasp as he settled for the bronze medal, behind Alimzhan Ayapov and Sander Severino. 'Given how this victory was achieved, this tastes sweeter,' said Sargissyan, who had also won the FIDE World Chess Championship for People with Disabilities, held online in 2021. 'The competition here was very tough. Every game was difficult. I am happy that I could finish on top.' F or Molenda (7 points), the Blitz winner, it wasn't a happy ending. Neither for Lipilin (7 points), who had won the Rapid event last week. Among Indian players, J. Samarth Rao and Audietya Aazadh Pamarthi scored six points each, securing 14th and 15th places. Positioned as part of Goa's 'Purple Fest', the championship dovetails with the state's mission to empower persons with disabilities through inclusive platforms. Organisers have described the event as a "unifying and empowering force," championing accessible global sporting excellence.


Time of India
29-07-2025
- Time of India
Para chess: Molenda takes on Liplin for gold on exciting final day
After eight rounds of fluctuating fortunes, the champion will be decided on Wednesday morning Panaji: The battle for gold in the World Chess Championship for Persons with Disabilities at Dona Paula is going down to the wire. On the final morning, three players will believe they have a chance to become champion as IM Molenda Marcin (Poland), FM Sargissyan Sargis (Armenia) and FM Lipilin Llia (Russia), all with 6.5 points each, jointly share the lead. Most eyes will be on the first board as Molenda takes on the might of Lipilin in a decisive clash, while Sargissyan has been drawn to play FM Valenta Vit Vaclav (Czech Republic). On Tuesday, IM Gurbanov Andrei (Israel) drew with Molenda in 16 moves in a Nimzo India defence opening, while on the second board, Liplin defeated FM Ayapov Alimzhan (Kazakhstan) in 55 moves against Caro kann defence opening. On Board 3, Sargissyan kept himself in the hunt for the title after putting it across FM Soltanov Serik (Kazakhstan) in Reti Kings Indian attack opening in 65 moves. Sargissyan stuttered in the middle with two draws from three games but has recovered well to pick up wins from two of his last three. Dzenisenia Mikhail (Russia), Ayapov Alimzhan (Kazahkstan), Anfinogenov Artem (Russia), FM Valenta Vit Vaclav, Glazar Domagoj (Croatia) and IM Gurbanov Andrei (Israel) are in close contention with six points. CM Samarth Rao and FM Venkata Krishna Karthik K of India, along with Gedgafov Chamal (Russia), are with 5.5 points each. The final round will be played on Wednesday morning.