Shariyazdanov proves his billing

By Our Sports Reporter

GUNTUR, APRIL 16. Quite predictably, the top-seeded Grandmaster Andrey Shariyazdanov settled for a draw with GM Leonid Yurtaev in the final round to top the table with 10 points and clinched the title in the Chalapathi International Grandmasters chess tournament, which concluded at Chalapathi Residential School here today.

GM Alexander Fominyh was placed second with nine points while Yurtaev and Ildar Ibragimov finished with 8.5 points each. Yurtaev was given the third spot by virtue of the Koya tie- breaker system.

The National champion K. Sasikiran led the Indian contingent with an impressive tally of eight points, closely followed by GM Dibyendu Barua with seven.

However, the lone bright spot for the Indians came when young Sandipan Chanda held Sasikiran to a draw and reached the magic figure of 6.5 points to emerge as India's latest International Master.

Draws galore

There were six draws on the final day, most of them agreed. GM Ibragimov outwitted GM-norm holder D.V. Prasad, playing black, in 43 moves. Ibragimov surprised the Indian in the opening itself with his fourth move - Qc3. Prasad allowed white to obtain a strong centre in the early middle-game which the rival held onto grimly till the end. Prasad, and also the other Indians, were again taught a lesson in the importance of central pawn configuration.

In the rook and bishop ending, Prasad could not prevent or promotion of white's passed pawn on `e' file. Finally Prasad had to resign as he paid the penalty for letting the Grandmaster to take charge without going for any creative moves, like for instance, with his bishop which was on b6 throughout the contest.

In another game, Sandipan needed just a draw against Sasikiran to get the IM title. But he was made to fight for it by his GM-elect rival. Definitely, the half-point was not gifted away.

In the semislav defence, Sandipan (black) played a variation Vladimir Kramnik once employed to beat Garry Kasparov. It was a very complicated struggle from the start. On the 25th move, the queens were exchanged and on the very next move, Sasikiran captured a pawn (Nxb5). By giving up his doubled bishops advantage, Sandipan crippled white's visible superiority which was an extra pawn and later turned out to be doubled pawn. However, with only pawns on one side of the board left and rooks being exchanged at regular intervals, Sasikiran's extra material soon lost its significance. Thus he had to settle for a draw on the 67th move in a bishop ending. IWM Koneru Humpy, who missed the chance to get the WGM-norm by not scoring 5.5 points, made a quick peace treaty with IM G.B. Prakash in just five moves to finish on 4.5.

Interestingly Humpy's performance, though the points tally might not indicate, has been considered pretty good as she played in a field with an ELO-rating of 2397 (her present ranking is only 2244) despite featuring in seven draws, one win and five losses here.

Former India cricket captain, Md. Azharuddin, Mr. Md. Mazharuddin, IPS, and Mr. P.T. Ummer Koya, secretary of the All India Chess Federation, graced the valedictory function. Mr. Y.V. Anjaneyulu, MD, Chalapathi Group, welcomed.

lThe results (final round): Andrey Shariyazdanov (10) drew with Leonid Yurtaev (8.5); K. Sasikiran (8) drew with Sandipan Chanda (6.5); Zia-ur- Rehman (3) drew with Pravin Thipsay (5); G.B. Prakash (4) drew with Koneru Humpy (4.5); V. Saravanan (5) drew with Abhijit Kunte (6.5); Alexander Fominyh (9) drew with Dibyendu Barua (7) and Ildar Ibragimov (8.5) bt D.V. Prasad (5.5).

Final placings (as per the Koya system of tie-breakers): 1. Andrey Shariyazdanov, 2. Alexander Fominyh, 3. Leonid Yurtaev, 4. Ildar Ibragimov, 5. K. Sasikiran, 6. Dibyendu Barua, 7. Abhijit Kunte, 8. Sandipan Chanda, 9. D.V. Prasad, 10. Pravin Thipsay, 11. V. Saravanan, 12. Koneru Humpy, 13. G.V. Prakash and 14. Zia- ur-Rehman.

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