Kunte nears leaders

Experienced GM Alexander Beliavsky with GM8217;s Hracek and Igor Khenkin were in joint lead with two points each.

IM P Konguvel 1 continued his good showing with a draw against highly rated GM Lubomir Ftacnik of the Czech Republic. The former National A8217; champion with white pieces played a positional variation against the Najdorf defence opted by Ftacnik. Konguvel earned a slightly better position before the Czech neutralised to ensure a draw.

IM DV Prasad was unlucky to lose to GM Slobodjan Roman of Germany. Playing black in a Sicilian defence closed variation, Prasad seemed to have a better positionand won an exchange but lost on time in a sudden death finish.

The other Indian, Rahul Shetty, started his game in style by outsmarting im Socko Bartosz of Poland from the black side of a scotch game and won a pawn.

But Shetty played badly in a Won ending and lost on time in the sudden death in a drawn situation.

IMPORTANT RESULTS

GM Sune Berg Hansen Den 1.5 drew with GM Krasenkow Pol 1.5; GM Alexander Beliavsky Slo 2 beat GM Yuri Shulman Bel 1; GM Haba Petr Cze 1.5 drew with GM S Movsesian Arm 1.5; GM Jaan Ehlvest Est 1.5 drew with A Berlovich Ukr 1.5; GM Neverov Ukr 1 lost to GM Hracek Cze 2; GM Igor Khenkin Isr 2 bt Urban Klaudiuz Pol 1; P Konguvel Ind 1 drew with L Flacknik Slo; A Kunte Ind 1.5 bt P Dobrowolski Pol; R Slobodjan Ger bt DV Prasad Ind; Soccko Bautosz Pol bt Rahul Shetty Ind; Gritsak Orest 1.5 drew with GM Rozentalis 1.5