CALCUTTA, Feb 10: Grandmaster Leonid Yurtaev of Kyrgistan emerged sole leader with 4.5 points after scoring a methodical victory over GM Phillipp Schlosser of Germany in the fifth round of the 6th Goodricke International Open Chess tournament here.Grandmasters Jonathan Speelman (England) and Jaan Ehlvest (Estonia) and India's Neeoltpal Das were closely on the heels of the leader with 4 points.Neelotpal, a product of the Goodricke Chess Academy, caused another upset in beating GM Victor Komliakov of Moldova in a Caro Kann defence game where the Indian had white pieces.
While an International Master norm looks certain for Neelotpal, his impressive play suggests that he may get the coveted GM norm for which he requires a little over 50 per cent result in remaining six rounds.
The game between GMs Speelman and Alexander Nenashev (Uzbekistan) turned out to be a damp squib as they settled for a quick draw after exchanging a couple of pieces.
The only Indian on 3.5 points is national champion IM AbhijitKunte who outclassed N Neelakantan with his Kings Indian attack. Neelakantan opted to castle on the opposite side with black pieces and sacrificed a pawn to initiate an attack. Kunte was never in trouble and went on to win with his extra material.
GM Pravin Thipsay (3) agreed to sign peace treaty with GM Jonathan Levitt (3.5) of England in the Samisch variation of Kings Indian defence just after the opening.
GM Dibyendu Barua was held to a draw in the Sicilian Dragon variation by IM RB Ramesh while WGM norm holder S Vijayalakshmi lost to GM Csaba Horvath of Hungary in a Nimzo Indian defence.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
