Sandipan becomes IM

Shariyazdanov, with 10 points, won the tournament convincingly, barring a narrow escape against Prasad. He will take home 1500.

Well prepared and strong in the basics like most of the Russians, Alexander Fominyh, the GM from Novosibirsk, finished second with a draw against India8217;s GM Dibyendu Barua, who sacrificed a pawn in the opening and got sufficient counterplay because of his two bishops when the Russian agreed to a draw.

Ildar Ibragimov of Russia tied for the third place with Yurtaev after scoring over DV Prasad. Though he has lost to Prasad three times twice in recent times, Ibragimov had advantage when Prasad pushed e5. He got strong central pawns and an e passer. He exchanged Queen8217;s and won the rook and bishop ending by pushing the pawn to e7 which forces Prasad to part with his rook.

GM Leonid Yurtaev Bishkek finished third while Ibragimov came fourth because of inferior tie-break.

Requiring half a point to complete his IM title, Chanda was pushed to the brink by Krishnan Sasikiran, whose 13th move novelty in the Slav defence looked strong. The recent GM-elect won a pawn to be clearly on top but frittered away the chances to allow a draw to Chanda after 67 moves and nearly five hours battle which earned him the IM title.

Other encounters did not have any bearing on the top placings. Saravanan-Abhijit Kunte, Prakash-Humpy and Ziaur Rahman-Thipsay were all quick draws.

Results 13th round: A Shariyazdanov Rus 10 drew L Yurtaev KGZ 8.5, A Fominyh Rus 9 drew D Barua Ind 7, I Ibragimov Rus 8.5 bt DV Prasad Ind 5.5, K Sasikiran Ind 8 drew Sandipan Chanda Ind 6.5, V Saravanan Ind 5 drew Abhijit Kunte Ind 6.5, GB Prakash Ind 4 drew K Humpy Ind 4.5, Ziaur Rahman Ban 3 drew PM Thipsay Ind 5.

Final placings: 1 A Shariyazdanov 10, 2 A Fominyh 9, 3 L Yurtaev 8.5, 4 I Ibragimov 8.5, 5 K Sasikiran 8, 6 D Barua 7, 7 Abhijit Kunte 6.5, 8 Sandipan Chanda 6.5, 9 DV Prasad 5.5, 10 PM Thipsay 5, 11 V Saravanan 5, 12 K Humpy 4.5, 13 GB Prakash 4, 14 Ziaur Rahman 3.