IM Krishna is sole leader

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL Master Rohith Krishna played another good game to defeat IM Szpar Milosz of Poland to surge much ahead with 8.5 points after 10 rounds in the 2nd Maharashtra International Open Grandmaster Chess tournament at Naivedhyam Northstar, Koradi on Thursday. A draw will suffice Rohith on Friday in the final 11th round to win the title while a loss would still put him in the race for the title if he has better tie-break after the completion of the final round. Mayank Chakarborty, who had been going great guns in this tournament and garnered two norms on Wednesday, ended on the losing side against IM Viani Antonia Dcunha of Karnataka in the 10th round which is at the concluding stages. The 18-year-old Rohith Krishna retained his sole leader status by a point while Viani, GM Alexandrov Aleksej and RR Laxman are bunched together in second spot with 7.5 points.

The four knights game between IM Milosz Szpar and overnight sole leader IM Krishna had a few interesting moments in the Opening with Black King coming to the centre and his queen, bishop and knight trying for an early King-hunt. At this point Milosz defended well and appeared to have an edge but a couple of inaccurate moves allowed Rohith to gain winning advantage. The game petered to an ending where White had a knight, rook and three pawns as against King, double rooks and two pawns. Rohit won after 68 moves.

Mayank Chakarborty was in an aggressive mood after employing the French defence against Viani after enjoying a good position in the Opening stages. Getting a tad ambitious Mayank lost way after sacrificing a pawn and then a knight on the 24th move. He doubled his queen and rook in the King rook file but insufficient pieces and some comfortable defence by Viani didn’t allow him any headway. Viani in turn sacrificed his bishop on the 30th turn to set up a checkmating net and clinch the game in 33 moves.