BHILAI, May 1: Former National champion and International Master DV Prasad of Petroleum Sports Control Board (PSCB) struck at the right time in the National A Chess Championship, here, today. Prasad's 12th round victory only his second in this competition brought him back into contention for a place in the top four who will represent India in international competitions this year.

Prasad, who has not gone out of the top six for the past 13 years, was close to getting back to National B at the start of this round. He came prepared against his rival, ex-national junior champion V Saravanan, also of PSCB.

Prasad's first move itself suggested the gravity of the situation. 1.d4, the Queen pawn opening was never his forte as this opening used to be played by quiet a few players, at least in India. Prasad reached seven points and needs to score at least two points from three games to get into the team.

By and large, safety-play was the order of the day on other boards. Those who were sure of qualification stayed away from fight because they were not compelled to do so. Those who were at the bottom of the table did so because they had already lost interest. P Konguvel and Abhijit Kunte, both of PSCB, split the point in 14 moves of Sicilian Paulsen Variation, without wasting their energies.

Konguvel kept his one-point lead with nine points and ensured qualification with three round to spare. Abhijit Kunte, obviously playing for his IM title, offered a draw in an unclear position when Konguvel was contemplating an exchange sacrifice for two pawns. Kunte remained in the second spot with eight points.

Saravanan adopted the Benoni Opening against Prasad, who allowed black to break through the Queenside. Prasad then punctured the centre making Saravanan consume a lot of time in the middle game. Making full use of the bishop pair, Prasad exchanged the Queens on move 33 and brought his rook out to the seventh rank. Saravanan, who had to make seven moves in the last one minute, watched helplessly as Prasad found a rook and bishop combination to force mate on move 40.

RESULTS (12th round): Konguvel (PSCB) 9 drew with Abhijit Kunte (PSCB) 8, V Koshy (PSCB) 6 drew with K Murugan (NLC) 7.5, DV Prasad (PSCB) 7 bt V Saravanan (PSCB) 5, TS Ravi (PSCB) 6.5 drew with NS Sudhakar Babu (BSB) 4, RB Ramesh (PSCB) 6.5 drew with Ravi Hegde (BSB) 7, PM Thipsay (BSB) 7.5 bt Lanka Ravi (NLC) 6.5.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.