Ketan, Gokhale set to challenge Kiran

What Kiran Panditrao, who now leads the field by half-a-point, will require is a draw in the final round against fourth seed Girish Wagh, as he has good progressive points, which may ultimately help him win the title.

However, Ketan Khaire and Chandrashekhar Gokhale can pose as serious threats to Kiran’s aspiration, as both are at the second spot with 5.5 points and also with equal progressive points.

On the top board at Kesari Hall, Kiran Panditrao with black pieces defeated his co-leader Prathamesh Mokal in 38 moves. Prathamesh, a Loyola High School student, opened with the Sicilian Polsan opening, however trying to attack black’s King rather recklessly.

Prathamesh brought all his major pieces into action at the beginning, while keeping minor pieces on the Queen’s side, and started sacrificing in an attempt to expose black’s King. Although Prathamesh did manage to expose black’s King in the middle game, he realised that he did not have any pieces to support his attack, as Kiran Panditrao grabbed all the major pieces of white as and when they were offered for sacrifice.

In the end, Kiran was two Rooks up and had no difficulty in wrapping up the game in 38 moves.

Meanwhile, Ketan Khaire opted to play it very safe today, to the extent that he did not even try for a possible win in the end game against Girish Wagh and settled to share the point on the second board. After opening with King’s Pawn, Ketan took no risk and in fact waited patiently for his opponent’s every move to formulate his strategy.

The game was headed towards a forced draw in the middle but Girish Wagh avoided this by trying for a win. His efforts, however, were in vain. And on the 61st move, black blundered by sacrificing the d5′ pawn and had almost lost the ending. However, Ketan still did not try for a clear win and finally drew after a couple of moves.

Chandrashekhar Gokhale had a comfortable eighth round as he defeated qualifier Sandeep Gohad in 38 moves to once again pose as a strong contender for the title. With white pieces, the top seeded Gokhale opened with the Nimzo opening and could have wrapped up the game as early as in 15-moves after Sandeep handled the opening badly. Gokhale, however, did not let the opportunity slip away and finally made a forced mate on Sandeep.

Meanwhile, overnight co-leader and qualifier Utpal Sasane’s good run of five successive wins was stopped by Joseph D’Souza, as the fifth seed coach-cum-player made Utpal resign in 31 moves after attacking black’s King on exposed at the centre on the third board.

The final round will start at 12.00 noon tomorrow, informed the organisers. After the final round, the organisers have kept a Blitz tournament, which is open for all, at the same venue.