Date:13/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/13/stories/2009011356741600.htm

Sport - Chess

Eight players share lead

TIRUNELVELI: Eight players share the lead with four points each at the end of the fourth round in the FIDE-rated Open chess tournament being held at the Bell school, Samathanapuram auditorium here.

The leaders are Alex Thomas and K.A. Unas (Kerala), Scanny (Tirunelveli), Dusthageer Ibrahim, S.S. Manigandan and Ganesh Babu (Madurai), Linda Rangarajan (Pondicherry) and M.J. Noohu (Chennai).

The event has attracted over 250 entries from various parts of the country. The top billing has been given to National U-17 Champion and FIDE Master Shyam Nikhil of Madurai.

Other notable players taking part are Ram S. Krishnan (BSNL,Chennai), FMs C.J. Aravind (Birla Soft), M.B. Muraleedharan (Kerala), Dr. Linda Rangarajan (Pondicherry), and the local star Merryston Scanny. — Special Correspondent