From uplifting team to calling out Olympiad mess: Srinath is India's man to count on

NEW DELHI: It was the final round of the Global Chess League round-robin last Saturday in Bengaluru, and American Gambits needed a big win, with an eight-point margin, to reach the final. Mumba Masters were the opponents. As the match wore on, the Gambits, playing with Black, went all out. Javokhir Sindarov, playing on the Icon board, won his game. On the next board, Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin had an early advantage, which translated almost into a winning position. But then, calamity struck.The clock ran out. Sarin lost on time. His team lost with him.The next moment, Nihal was pressed against the side glass of the dugout, face to the panel, looking as though the gates might open and the tears might come at any second. Then he felt a palm settle lightly on his shoulder.