Mumbai, December 9: FIDE-rated and top seed Jyotilal was assured of the title when he secured the eight points in the eighth and penultimate round of the Thane District chess selection tournament at the United Sports Club, Thane (E) today.

Jyotilal outplayed Vijay Thik (MTNL) in 36 moves. Jyotilal opened with D-4. Vijay replied with Kings Indian Defence. Jyotilal then responded with Samish variation and attacked on Black's King side. Vijay then went into a passive position and finally lost the game.

On the second board, Sagar Sadavarte lost against Atal Ahirwar's Sicilian Dragon variation. The game lasted for 25 moves only.

Results: Jyotilal (8) bt Vjay Thik (6); Sagar Sadavarte (6) lost to Atal Ahirwar (7); Kaustubh Nilegaokar (6.5) bt A S Ubhale (5.5); Sagar Masurekar (5) lost to E S Ahmed (6); V G Sawant (5.5) drew with Harshad Prabhudesai (5.5); Satish Marathe (5) lost to Dinesh Boradia (6); Omkar Kulkarni (6) bt Vaibhav Wavikar (5); Subhash M Kale (5.5) bt P L Sawant (4.5); Parag Terwadkar (5) drew with Chinar R Chalatan; G G Mokashi (5.5) bt Santosh P Raut (4.5).

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.