Setback to Kunte’s norm aspirations

Konguvel (4) defeated Khasin in flamboyant style to keep alive his chances for the title and IM DV Prasad (3) shared the point with local GM Robert Kuczynski. Rahul Shetty lost to WGM Joanna Dworakoska of Poland.

Kunte (4) and Konguvel both face a difficult task of scoring 2.5 points from the remaining three rounds to achieve their final norm and Grandmaster title.

GM Igor Khenkin (6) maintained his lead, followed closely by GM S Sulskis (5.5) going into today’s rest day.

Kunte played Ruy Lopez Tchigorin Variation against Hracek, who made a strong improvement on existing theory. Kunte landed in an inferior position, could not extricate himself from the mess andlost.

Playing white against the classical variation of Sicilian defence employed by Khasin, Konguvel offered two pieces as sacrifice, but the Russian GM chose to refuse the offer to take his King to safety. But he landed into a bad position and Konguvel won with precise play.

Prasad (3) drew against GM Robert Kuczynski in a Sicilian Defence Najdorf variation game with white pieces. Rahul Shetty (2) suffered another loss on time in a sudden-death finish in a totally winning position against Dworakowska.