Norm-al day for Indians

Norm-al day for Indians
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

CALCUTTA, FEB 15: Young Surya Sekhar Ganguly became India's newest International Master as GM Gregory Kaidonov of USA continued to maintain his sole leadership with eight points after the tenth round of the 11th Goodricke International Open Chess tournament here on Tuesday.

Kaidonov consolidated his lead by a quick draw against German IM Mathias Roeder (7) and kept himself on course for the coveted title on another eventful day for Indian chess.

P Harikrishna (6) completed his second IM norm and WIM Aarthie Ramaswamy (5.5) completed her maiden WGM norm on the penultimate day of the high-profile tournament played on a 11-round Swiss League basis.

Upsets continued on the penultimate day as two Grandmasters lost their ties to Indian opponents. GM Ildar Abragimov (5) was humiliated by IM Devaki Prasad (6) while unfancied Dipanjan Das got the better of GM Tony Najdoski (4) in 36 moves.

Young Saptarshi Roy (5) caused another upset by prevailing over IM Anup Deshmukh (4) in an interesting contest while worldunder-18 girls champion Aarthie Ramaswamy beat her one-time coach IM RB Ramesh (4) in 28 moves. The game of the day was played by IM Reefat Bin Sattar (6) who outwitted Czech GM Pavel Blatny (5). Blatny started in a c4 set-up and in an ensuing middle-game was saddled in a position where Reefat's queen-side rook pawn gave a triumphant march.