3 Indians in lead

Linares, Jan 11: Indian youngsters Abhijit Kunte, K Sasikiran and RB Ramesh have moved into joint lead with five others on three points a...

Linares, Jan 11: Indian youngsters Abhijit Kunte, K Sasikiran and RB Ramesh have moved into joint lead with five others on three points at the end of the third round of the Linares Open chess tournament in progress here. Sasikiran outplayed fifth seed GM Karen Asrian of Armenia with white pieces in a Queen8217;s Gambit declined opening yesterday. Sasikiran8217;s better preparation assured him an early advantage, which he meticulously increased to win enough material and forced resignation in 60 moves.

Ramesh continued his fine run crushing highly-rated IM Vladimir Georgiev of Bulgaria in Sicilian Defence. Ramesh took full advantage of Georgiev8217;s unorthodox set-up, winning a pawn in the middle game. Abhijit Kunte scored his third straight win, over US veteran IM John Watson with white pieces in English Opening.

Konguvel lost to GM Jesus Nogueiras with black pieces in Grunfeld Defence. Nogueiras played a new plan in the opening, gaining a slight advantage and later capitalised on the Indian8217;s mistake in the firsttime control to win in 58 moves. IWM Pallavi Shah put up a fine performance to hold GM Walter Arencibia of Cuba to a draw. V Saravanan beat teammate Mrunalini Kunte, while DV Prasad, S Vijayalakshmi and CS Gokhale won easily against their lower-rated opponents.

Other important results: A Dreev Rus bt M Borges Spain; A Grischuk Ukr bt A Minasian Arm; K Sasikiran Ind bt K Asrian Arm; D Svetushkin Mda bt V Bologan Mda; A Sokolov Rus Dr V Yademirov Rus; RB Ramesh Ind bt V Georgiev Bul; J Nogueiras Cub bt P Konguvel Ind; A Kunte Ind bt J Watson USA; S Tiviakov Rus bt S Garcia Spain.

Anand for Hoogovens

CHENNAI: World No 2 Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand opens his campaign this year with the Hoogovens Chess tournament in Wiijk Aan Zee, Holland, scheduled from January 15 to 31.

Garry Kasparov would also be making his appearance in the tournament which has a FIDE category of 18.

The other players to compete in the tournament are Vladimir Kramnik Russia, VIvanchuk Ukraine, A Shirov Spain, P Svilder Russia, V Topalov Bulgaria, Yermolinsky USA and duty players, Sokolov, J Timman, J Picket and W Van Wely and R Kasimdzhanov Uzbekistan and Reinderman Netherlands, the two qualifiers from last year8217;s B-category tournament.