Date:06/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/06/stories/2008070655871800.htm

Sport - Archery

Negi in joint lead

Manuel Aaron

Philadelphia: Parimarjan Negi, the 15-year-old Grandmaster from Delhi, is among the seven players who are sharing the lead in the World Open chess tournament here when the fifth round concluded.

India’s Arun Prasad, K. Rathnakaran, Abhijit Kunte and Surya Ganguly are among the 20 players who are in second place with 3.5 points each.

Negi is playing positive and inventive chess. The Fourth of July, the American National day, belonged to him as he played and won two tough games against USA’s most promising youngsters Daniel Ludwig and International Master Bryan Smith.

Unfortunately Grandmaster G.N. Gopal lost both games on Friday. In the morning he lost to veteran Czech Grandmaster Lubomir Ftacnik and in the evening to IM Robert Hess of the USA.

conceded a draw after five hours of play.

In the under-2400 section, WGM Eesha Karavade of Pune is in joint second spot with four points.

The standings of Indian players:

Open Section: Negi (tied with 6 others) 4 points; Ganguly, Rathnakaran, Kunte, Arun Prasad (tied with 16 others) 3.5; R.R. Laxman, Kiran Manisha Mohanty 3; G.N. Gopal, M.R. Venkatesh 2.5; Nisha Mohota, Swati Ghate 2. Under-2400: Eesha Karavade 4; Saimeera Ravi, Aarthie Ramaswamy 3.