Kunte holds Barua to emerge champion

Mumbai, June 5: Grandmaster Abhijeet Kunte today assured himself of the title with a draw against GM Dibyendu Barua in the penultimate round of the National A Chess Championship here today. Kunte, with 13.5 points, has a bye in the last round and needed to atleast draw his match today to keep his nearest rival K Sasikiran (12 points) away from a possible tie-break.

Kunte got into a slightly inferior position as Barua advanced his king side pawn to open lines against the king. However, Barua’s back rank became vulnerable as Kunte defended the position and proposed the draw that was immediately accepted.

Defending champion Sasikiran was in his element today making mincemeat of Vishal Sareen’s Reti Opening with black pieces. Vishal found himself at sea soon after the opening and went for tactical complications that spelt his doom. Sasikiran won a rook for bishop and pocketed the point in 33 moves.

Story continues below this ad

Seventeen-year old International Master Surya Sekhar Ganguly drew his game against Atanu Lahiri and assured himself of a berth in the National team.

Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay scored an attacking victory over IM Ravi Hegde to remain in hunt for a place in the top six.