Bartakke poised for title

8220;I am much more relaxed now,8221; said Amardeep, who had finished 18th in last year8217;s selection meet held in Mumbai. On his final round match against Prathamesh Mokal Pune for tomorrow, the B Sc Maths graduate said, 8220;I will try to maintain my unbeaten record and may also offer an early draw to my opponent.8221;

However, on the other hand, the fight for the next three places for qualifiers has intensified, withPrathamesh Mokal Pune, 6.5, Pallavi Shah Kol, 6.5, VKN Solani Mum, 6, Vinod Bhagwat Nasik, 6 and Saurab Khardekar Nag, 6 still very much in the fray.

RESULTS 8th round:

Ketan Khaire Pn, 6.5 lost to Amardeep Bartakke Sat, 7.5; Prathamesh Mokal Pn, 6.5 bt G Balaji Mum, 5.5; Ketan Boricha Mum, 5.5 lost to Pallavi Shah Kol, 6.5; Anjali Palande Aur, 5 lost to VKN Solanki Mum, 6, Sashikant Kutwal Pn, 5.5 drew with D Ravishankar Mum, 5.5; Umesh Pangude Nag, 5 lost to Saurab Khardekar Nag, 6; Vinod Bhagwat Nasik, 6 bt Rajesh Sapkal Pn, 5; Ramkrishna Kashelkar Mum, 5.5 bt Raju Sonecha 4.5; Udayan Bapat Pn, 5.5 bt Pranav Akolkar Pn, 4.5.