The Indian women also did well to eke out a 2-1 win over Croatia in the 11th round and stay in the race for the top 25 placing. India have 18 points and have two more rounds to go in this Olympiad.

For Indian men, GM Pravin Thipsay and debutant Anup Desmukh scored full points on the second and fourth boards respectively. Thipsay downed M. Belli in Ruy Lopez. Anup Desmukh beat C. Esplana In the Nimzo-Indian Defence also on time.

Dibyendu Barua was in a better position in English Opening against H. Urday on the top board but after 40 moves the players reached a rook and knight ending which was drawn. Abhijit Kunte also drew his game with J. Garcia in the Queens Indian Defence in 26 moves. Abhijit Kunte and J. Pelikian drew in anirregular queen pawn opening. Sasikiran and Van Riemsdjik also drew in 26 moves of Benoni Opening in a queen and rook ending. Indian men have 21 points while the women have 16.

Koya reelected

ELISTA: Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has been reelected president of Fide today for a fresh term of four years while India's PT Ummer Koya was also re-elected vice-president unanimously.

The new Fide office-bearers are: Kirsan Ilyuzhinov (President), PT Ummer Koya (vice-president), Georgios Makropoulos (Grrece-deputy president), Noureddine Tabbane (Tunisia-general secretary), David Jarrett (England-treasurer).

Karpov to defend title

MOSCOW, Oct 10: World chess champion Anatoly Karpov has agreed to compete in the world championship later this year, backing down from his efforts to block the tournament, officials said today.

Karpov won the world title in January and was to serve as champion for two years. But the Switzerland-based World Chess Federation, or FIDE, has since decided the championship shouldtake place annually and re-scheduled the next tournament for January 8 to February 6 in Las Vegas.