Barua, Chanda begin well

IWM Koneru Humpy faltered twice after having had her chances for surviving against IM Saravanan.

The star of the day, Shariazdanov made Sasi pay heavily for his 14 Qe8 (Slav Defence) instead of theoretical Qf8. First, he made a thematical pawn sacrifice on d5 and followed it up with a knight sacrifice as the Indian National champion’s defensive skills were tested. He was below par in defending an inferior position. Shariazdanov’s pretty exchange sacrifice on the 22nd move brought the King into the open, ending the hopes of Sasi. He missed a mate in three on the 27th but completed the job on the 32nd.

Barua’s position with Russian Ildar Ibragimov looked equal until the GM went wrong under time pressure and lost in the 40th move from a Giouco Piano Opening. However, when the Russian’s flag fell, he was losing a pawn and was in a clear minus position.

Thipsay-Prakash game ended in a draw after 29 moves from a Caro-Kann defence. Prakash equalised in the opening and when Thipsay pushed his pawn to c5, Prakash foresaw a rook sacrifice and went for it to force a draw through perpetual checks. Thipsay could not return the piece to avoid draw because his position became weaker.

Sandipan Chanda accepted Ziaur Rahman’s dubious pawn sacrifice on the 20th move to drive home the advantage. Until Zia made that error, the position was equal.

Results (1st round): D Barua (1) bt I Ildar (0),Abhijit Kunte (0.5) drew Alexander Fominyh (0.5), K Humpy (0) lost to V Saravanan (1), Pravin Thipsay (0.5) drew with GB Prakash (0.5), Sandeepan Chandra (1) bt Zia-ur-Rehman (0), Andrew Shariyazdanov (1) bt K Sasikiran (0).