Kaidanov surges to sole lead

CALCUTTA, FEB 9: Grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov of the United States emerged sole leader with four points while Sandipan Chanda continued his fine run holding GM Alexander Goloshchapov to a creditable draw in the fourth round of the 11th Goodricke International Chess Tournament here on Wednesday.

Kaidanov maintained his all-win record scalping Sriram Jha while veteran Swiss GM Viktor Korchnoi accounted for Subhrajit Saha to finish the day at the second spot garnering 3.5 points along with Krishnan Sasikiran, Tejas Bakre and Koneru Humpy. Another title favourite GM Vladimir Akopian spent anxious moments before scalping IM Shankar Roy.

Koneru Humpy outclassed S Satyapragyan while doulbe GM-norm holders Sasikiran and Abhijit Kunte remained in the hunt for their final norm carving out facile victories.

Sasikiran got three minor pieces for a queen and easily tamed Jayant Gokhale and Kunte exhibited his superiority in every department to outclass Rahul Shetty.