Oman Chess: Team Muscat bounce back at Asian Cities Chess Championship in India

Muscat: After suffering defeats in the first two rounds of the Asian Cities Chess Championship, Team Muscat bounced back with a victory and a draw in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of eastern Indian state of Odisha.
The nine-round championship, being organised by KIIT University and All Odisha Chess Association, attracted 12 teams and runs till September 1.
Team Muscat comprises FIDE Master Salim Mohammed Salim Al Amri (2010), Candidates Master Salim Issa Ali Shamas (1902), Amin Al Ansi (1898), Houd Al Houti (1783) and Mohammed Ahmed Said Al Amri (1711) with four players playing in each match.
The Muscat side, who began their campaign with defeats to Bhubaneswar KIIT team and Alquds of Palestine, bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Bhubaneswar KISS team in the third round before settling for a draw against Chinese Taipei in the fourth round on Monday.
In fourth round against Chinese Taipei, CM Salim Issa Shamas (1902) had a disappointing result losing to a lower rated Wang Ting-Hao (1746).
But FM Salim Mohammed Salim Al Amri (2010) lived upto his higher rating to defeat Tseng Woei Haw (1664). Amin Al Ansi (1898), Houd Al Houti (1783) and Mohammed Ahmed Said Al Amri (1711) drew their games against Min Po-Yen (1956) and Liu Yeh Yang (2026) to ensure Muscat shared the points with their opponents.
In the second of the two rounds played on Sunday, Muscat recorded a 3-1 win over Bhubaneswar KISS. Though Houd Al Houti los to Sajan Kumar Nayak (1698). Salim Issa Shamas, Amin Al Ansi and Salim Mohammed Al Amri accounting for Tapan Badamundi (1691), Manindra Karjee (1448) and Purna Khilo (1447) respectively for the team’s first win.
Earlier in the morning, Muscat lost to Alquads, Palestine 2.5-1.5. Their opening match on Saturday resulted in a 3.5-0.5 defeat to championship hosts Bhubaneswar KIIT.
At the end of four rounds, Muscat are in seventh place.
Rasht, Iran head the table with four wins followed by Bhubaneswar KIIT and Kolkata with three wins each.
In the first of the two rounds to be played on Tuesday, Muscat take on India’s Cuttack, who are currently at the bottom after having lost all their matches so far.