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Galkin, Kouvastou are World jr. chess champs

Grandmaster Galkin Alexander of Russia and Kouvatsou Maria of Greece won the boys' and girls' titles respectively in the 37th World Junior Chess Championships which concluded at Yerevan, Armenia, yesterday.

In the final round, Galkin defeated Bakhtadze Giorge of Georgia to tally 10.5 points. Kouvatsou was declared winner on a tie-break, after four players tied at 8.5 points.

Grandmaster Kasimdzanov Rustom of Uzbekistan was second in the boys' category with 10 points.

India's Nisha Mohota finished ninth among the girls, with 7.5 points, while Sundararajan Kidambi was 36th among the boys, with 6.5 points.

Seeded 20th Kouvastou, who lost the 12th round on Wednesday, was defeated by Shaole Jennifer of the United States in the last round.

Girls' top seed Krish Irina (US), who played badly in the first half of the championship, bounced back in the latter stages and scored 8.5 points along with Jackova Jana (Czech Republic) and Vazda Szidonia (Romania).

Nisha drew her last round with Grotsayeva Oksama (7.5) of Ukraine. Nisha was two pawns up in the queen ending but she overlooked perpetual checks by her opponent and had to agree for a draw.

Kidambi also played a draw with Pevalta Fernando (6.5) of Argentina. He was also one pawn up in the ending but could not handle the end-game properly.

The final positions - top ten:
Boys: 1. Galkin Alexander (Russia) 10.5; 2. Kasimdznov Rustom (Uzbekistan) 10; 3. Asrian Kaven (Armenia) 9; 4. Avonian Leven (Armenia) 9; 5. Naumann Alexander (Germany) 8.5; 6. Zhang Pengniang (China) 8.5; 7. Bechus Powel (Poland) 8.5; 8. Svitsushkin Dmitry (Maldova) 8.5; 9. Vazda Vevente (Romania) 8 and 10. Perelzhteynov (US) 8.

Girls: Kouvatsou Maria (Greece) 8.5; 2. Jackova Jana (Czech Republic) 8.5, 3. Vazda Szidonia (Romania) 8.5, 4. Krush Irina (US) 8.5; 5. Cmicyte Voutoza (Latvia) 8; 6. T Sopio (Georgia) 8; 7. Goletiani Rusudova (Georgia) 8; 8. Shahade Jennifer (US) 8; 9. Nisha Mohota (India) 7.5 and 10. Gritsayena Oksana (ukraine) 7.5.

UNI