Humpy joins leaders

Fifteen-year-old Grandmaster-in-waiting Koneru Humpy joined the leaders after a thumping victory over James Simpson of England in the third round of the Smith and Williamson British Championship here today.

Draws were the order of the day for overnight joint leaders and most of the games ended in peace pacts without much ado. As a result, 11 players now share the lead on 2.5 points apiece. Besides Humpy, top seed GM K Sasikiran, GM Abhijit Kunte, GM Dibyendu Barua and double GM norm holder Surya Shekhar Ganguly are Indians in a tie for the top position. Eight more rounds remain to be played in this Swiss tournament. Quite understandable the top board duel between Sasikiran and Gallagher turned out to be a tame affair.

Accelerated pairing system is in use here and stronger players play with each other in the few rounds as per the system. The top two seeds blitzed out the established manoeuvres of the Caro Kann Defence and Sasikiran had no trouble in equalising with the black pieces.

Gallagher went for some active play in the centre in a seemingly dull position but only succeeded in exchanging a few more minor pieces that led the game to a level heavy piece endgame where the truce was signed in just 31 moves.

In other matches, IM R B Ramesh drew with GM Chris Ward of England while WGM S Vijayalakshmi scored her first win in the tourney, accounting for Peter Taylor.