Saravanan scores over Zia-ur-Rehman

By Our Sports Reporter

GUNTUR, APRIL 8. IM V. Saravanan of India was in his elements in recording a belated win over Bangladesh IM Zia-ur-Rehman in a sixth round game of the Chalapathi Grandmasters international chess tournament being organised by Chalapathi Chess Academy here today.

It was a Sicilian defence, Tiamanov Variation employed by Rehman (playing black) to the King's pawn opening, incidentally, the third time Zia was using this in this tournament. At one stage, black pieces were well posted. But, Rehman faltered by playing e6 to 35. Saravanan pounced on the chance as the black opened up the `f' file for attack which turned out to be an illusion as white gained full control of the light squares after a few exchanges.

More importantly, Saravanan moved all the pieces on the light squares and even harassed the black queen and the threat of mating the black king using the b1-h7 diagonal was always looming large on Zia. Just after time pressure on the 41st move, Rehman overlooked a back rank mate when he captured the white queen. After that, there was very little for Rehman to do but resign after 41 moves.

Yurtaev outwits Prakash

GM Leonid Yurtaev outwitted IM G.B. Prakash of India in another game, lasting 54 moves. In a French defence Tarrasch variation opted by Prakash to Yurtaev's King's pawn opening, the Indian had very little problem in the middle- game. He even won a pawn on the 42nd move (R x b1). Then, on the 44th move, Prakash played Kg7 instead of Rg8 to force the issue in a queen and pawn ending. Clearly, the Indian tried to force a win with his extra pawn but that proved costly and he resigned when he could not avoid a mate.

Otherwise, it was a day of drawn games. GM-norm holder D.V. Prasad and Bengal boy Sandipan Chanda settled for a draw after 47 moves. In a Sicilian Scheviningen defence employed by Chanda, Prasad countered it by Classic System. Though Prasad tried to attack the kingisde, Chanda maintained a good balance, defending resourcefully every threat in the middle-game. At one point, Prasad sacrificed an exchange on 42nd move hoping to penetrate with his queen and give thrust to his kingside attack. But, Chanda returned the exchange at appropriate time to draw by perpetual checks.

In a battle between Grandmasters, Pravin Thipsay and Dibyendu Barua played 13 moves of Dragon variation of Sicilian defence before opting for a draw.

In another short contest, GM Ildar Ibragimov and GM Andrey Shariyazdanov decided to split points after just seven moves. Shariyazdanov is now leading the table with 4.5 points, followed by Barua and Alexander Fominyh with four points each.

GM Alexander Fominyh and GM-elect Krishnan Sasikiran were also locked in a draw. Playing with his favourite King's Indian defence with black pieces, Sasikiran equalised the white Fianchetto system with ease. However, the position did not yield more than equality for the players to carry on their fight and the game ended in a draw after 20 moves.

IWM Koneru Humpy continued to play solidly by holding GM-elect Abhijit Kunte for a creditable draw in 46 moves in a game arising from the English opening. Most of the action took place on the queenside with Kunte pressurising the Black's `b7' pawn. However, Humpy sought the exchange of queen and rook pair to equalise the game. The two accepted for the draw in a rook plus four pawns on the same side end-game.

The results (sixth round): Yurtaev Leonid (3) bt G.B. Prakash (2); V. Saravanan (3) bt Zia-ur-Rehman (1.5); Alexander Fominyh (4) drew with K. Sasikiran (3.5); Ildar Ibragimov (3.5) drew with Andrew Shariyarzdanov (4.5); D.V. Prasad (2.5) drew with Sandipan Chanda (3.5); Dibyendu Barua (4) drew with Pravin Thipsay (2); Abhijit Kunte (2.5) drew with Koneru Humpy (1.5).

Sunday's pairings: Koneru Humpy vs Leonid Yurtaev; Pravin Thipsay vs Abhijit Kunte; Sandipan Chanda vs Dibyendu Barua; A. Shariyazdanov vs D.V. Prasad, K. Sasikiran vs Ildar Ibragimov; Zia-ur-Rehman vs Alexander Fominyh; G.B. Prakash vs V. Saravanan.

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