The Indian team that won a historic silver medal in the historic silver medal at the World Team Championship. Image Courtesy: Twitter / @ aicfchess

Sitges (Spain): India won a silver medal after losing 2-0 to Russia in the FIDE Women’s World Team Chess Championship final on Saturday.

After the Indians lost the first game 1.5.-2-5 despite a brilliant victory by Harika Dronavali on the board, the Indians were outclassed 3-1 in the second game when a strong Russian team stormed to the title triumph.

It was India’s first medal at the World Team Chess Championship.

In the second match, Harika Goryachkina held a draw, as did R Vaishali (Elo 2149) against the higher rated Alexandra Kosteniuk (Elo 2517).

However, Tania Sachdev and Mary Ann Gomes went back to the higher-rated Katernya Lagno and Polina Shuvalova to give Russia an all-out win and the gold.

Sachdev fought well before losing to Lagno in 53 moves, and Gomes, who was in good shape throughout the tournament, lost a game of the Sicilian Kann in 48 moves against Shuvalova.

India had previously lost the first match, although Harika (Elo 2450) had an excellent win against Goryachkina (Elo 2520) on the first board despite the gap in Elo ratings. On the fourth board, Gomes drew against Alina Kashlinskaya.

For Russia, former world champion Kosteniuk beat young Vaishali on the second board, while Bhakti Kulkarni’s poor form hurt India when she lost to Lagno.

India, which had made up second place in Preliminary Round A with three wins and one draw against Russia, reached the final after beating a strong Georgian team.