Humpy shocks Thipsay; Shariyazdanov maintains lead

Sasi’s practical knowledge in these positions is less. It was reflected when he went for 19. Ba8 instead of the usual Nb4 which controls the vital d5 square. Prasad built up a powerful King-side attack with Sasi having no counterplay. He finished off the game with little tactical shots 29. Ne6 and 34. Bg7. Prasad was happy after winning his first game of the tournament.“I have played many games in this line and feel comfortable in this positions. It’s a double edged line but Sasi did not play well.”

GM Alexander Fominyh of Russia continued to hold the second spot with 6 points after grinding Indian International Master GB Prakash.

Leonid Yurtaev of Kyrgysztan took advantage of Indian IM V Saravanan’s pawn blunder in the 35th move (Bc8) from a slightly advantageous position of Sicilian Najdorf. With his fourth victory, Yurtaev moved to third place with 5.5 points.

Shariyazdanov’s experience was in full flow against Barua in the complicated Chelyabinsk variation of the Sicilian Pelikan. The Russian sacrificed a pawn on the 20th move (f3) for dynamic play. Barua’s extra pawn was of little use as Shariyazdanov controlled the `d’ file and was steadily progressing.

Barua, already having exhausted a lot of time to find a way out of his unsavory position, had no chance to survive as Shariyazdanov’s 36. c3 created many threats. Barua quit on the 39th move facing mate.

India’s Sandipan Chanda refused a draw offer from teammate Abhijit Kunte in the middlegame and won a pawn but it was not sufficient for victory in the rook and pawn endgame.

Ildar Ibragimov, the second seed from Kazan, capitalized on Bangladeshi IM’ Ziaur Rahman’s poor form to score his third victory.

Humpy, who is the last seed in the event, has already performed above her rating and made even strong GM’s `earn’ their point. It was a happy day for the girl from Vijayawada as she scored the first victory of the event at the cost of seven-times National champion Thipsay.

It would have been sweeter, if the victory had come in a convincing manner. Thipsay after getting hold of the position missed 31. Nf3 which wins a Queen or forces mate. He blundered with 31. Rh5 and Humpy made no mistake after that to score her best victory.

Results (8th round): L Yurtaev (KGZ) 5.5 bt V Saravanan (Ind) 3.5, D Barua (Ind) 4 lost to A Shariyazdanov (Rus) 6.5, A Fominyh (Rus) 6 bt GB Prakash (Ind)2.5, I Ibragimov (Rus) 5 bt Ziaur Rahman (Ban) 1.5, K Humpy (Ind) 3 bt PM Thipsay (Ind) 2.5, Abhijit Kunte (3.5) drew Sandipan Chanda (5), DV Prasad (Ind) 3.5 bt K Sasikiran (Ind) 4.

Pairings for ninth round: Thipsay vs Yurtaev, Sandipan Chanda vs Humpy, Shariyazdanov vs Abhijit Kunte, Sasikiran vs Barua, Ziaur Rahman vs Prasad, Prakash vs Ibragimov, Saravanan vs Fominyh.

Game: Barua-Shariyazdanov: 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.Nc3 e5, 6.Ndb5 d6, 7.Bg5 a6, 8.Na3 b5, 9.Nd5 Be7, 10.Bxf6 Bxf6, 11.c3 Bg5, 12.Nc2 Ne7, 13.h4 Bh6, 14.Ncb4 0-0, 15.Nxe7+ Qxe7, 16.Nd5 Qb7, 17.g4 Bf4, 18.Bg2 Be6, 19.Nxf4 exf4, 20.Qxd6 f3, 21.Bxf3 Bxg4, 22.Bg2 Rad8, 23.Qf4 Be6, 24.0-0 Rd3, 25.Rfd1 Rfd8, 26.Rxd3 Rxd3, 27.a3 h6, 28.Bf1 Rd8, 29.Be2 Bb3, 30.Kh2 Qd7, 31.Rg1 Qd2, 32.Qf3 Kh8, 33.c4 Qxb2, 34.Qxf7 bxc4, 35.Rg6 Qe5+, 36.f4 c3, 37.Qxb3 Qxf4+, 38.Kg1 Qe3+, 39.Kf1 Rf8+ 0-1.