Sasikiran signs off in style

Although, Kazakistan’s GM Evegeny Vladimirov, GM Maxim Sorokin of Argentina and Russian GM Fominih Alexander tied for top-spot with 8.5 points each, the title could not go their way — as they fail to figure among the Commonwealth nations. Instead they stand eligible to share the prize money. In these turn of events, Sasikiran was declared champion and pocketed a special prize of US $500.

Meanwhile, WIM Nisha Mohota, of Calcutta, aggregated six points as she defeated Saheli Dhar-Barua on Thursday. Sasikiran’s bid was made easy by his opponent (Thipsay) when he miscalculated in the middle-game, opting for an inferior `Bc6′ move in the Kings Indian defence game. This gave Sasikiran an added advantage, apart from being white, as he capitalised on the opponents’ weaker king side and forced Thipsay to resign on the 42nd move.

The overnight sole leader GM Vladimirov, however, agreed for a short four-move draw with GM elect Abhijit Kunte on the top-board. The other two players to finish as joint leaders — GM Sorokin and GM Alexander — fought a long battle before overpowering IM Reefat Bin-Sattar (Bangladesh) and GM Leonid Yuetaev (Kyrazgystan) respectively.

Amidst all the glory and focus, limited to the top boards on Thursday, India’s Sriram Jha (6.5) playing on the lower board, scored an upset outwitting top-seed Andrie Charllie (Russia), thus winning his second IM norm.Suryashekhar Ganguly (Ind;) GM Golosehapov Alexander (Ukr;);

Important Results (11th Round)

GM Evegeny Vladimirov (Kzk, 8.5) drew IM Abhijit Kunte (Ind, 7.5); GM Maxim Sorokin (Arg, 8.5) b IM Reefat Bin-Sattar (Ban, 7); GM Leonid Yurtaev (Kyr, 7) lost to GM Fominih Alaxander (Rus; 8.5); IM K Sasikiran (Ind, 8.5) b GM Pravin Thipsay (Ind, 7); GM Gallaghar Joseph (Swz, 6.5) lost to GM Yuldashev Saidali (Uzb,7.5); GM Shafin Shurat (Uzb; 7.5) b IM RB Ramesh (Ind, 6.5); GM Ibragimov Ildar (Rus, 6.5) drew with P Harikrishna (Ind, 6.5); IM P Konguvel (Ind; 6.5) drew with GM Dibyendu Barua (Ind; 6.5); IM Zia-Ur-Rahman (Ban; 6.5) drew with IM GB Prakash (Ind, 6.5); Atanu Lahiri (Ind; 7) b IM Orazly Annageldiyev (Tkm, 6); Sriram Jha (Ind; 6.5) b GM Andrey Charllic Shariazdanov (Rus; 6); IM V Saravanan (Ind; 6) drew IM DV Prasad (Ind; 6); IM Sudhakar Babu (Ind, 6) drew CS Gokhale (Ind; 6) IM Tejas Bakre (Ind; 6) drew IM V Koshy (Ind; 6); Dilip Pagay (Ind, 6.5) b Vikramaditya Kamble (Ind; 5.5); Deep Sengupta (Ind, 5.5) drew Vishal Sareen (Ind; 5.5); Saheli Dhar-Barua (Ind; 5) lost to WIM Nisha Mohota (Ind; 6);R Aarthie (Ind; 5.5) drew Deepan Chakravarthy (Ind; 5.5); TS Ravi (Ind; 5) drew WIM Swati Ghate (Ind; 5.5); WIM Bhagyashree Thipsay (Ind; 4.5) drew Akshayraj Kore (Ind; 4.5); Safira Shanaz (Ind, 4) drew with Easha Karavade (Ind, 4.5), Koneru Humpy (Ind, 5.5) drew with Jayant Gokhale (Ind, 6).