Humpy maintains lead

Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, International Masters RB Ramesh and MR Venkatesh remained in the joint lead at the end of the sixth round in the ongoing HPCL 41st National B Chess Championship at the Smriti Bhavan on Sunday. The joint leaders are followed by fourteen in the second spot. The day, however belonged the Singh brothers from Hyderabad 8212; Amith Pal Singh and Rishi Pal Singh who accounted for two IMs on the adjoining tables. The former stopped V Sarvanan8217;s good run with Sicilian tactics, while the latter was at his best in English symmetrical against Ravi Hegde.

Humpy8217;s was a lengthy ride over IM P Konguvel. She played out a perfect Sicilian game in a 70-move win, while Ramesh triumphed over defending championship Suvrajit Saha in a Sicilian Najdorf game. Ramesh played a new move on his 19th attempt and ended up in getting a double bishop advantage. At this stage there were weak pawns all over. He sacrificed a pawn for an attack on his rival8217;s king and then won double bishop for a rook. Saha resigned on 56th move.

On the third table, Deepan Chankravarthy held IM TS Ravi to a draw, while IM-elect Prathamesh Mokal 4.5 suffered a crushing loss at the hands of joint-leader IM MR Venkatesh.