Ganguly throws a gauntlet, holds Vladimirov

Ganguly throws a gauntlet, holds Vladimirov
UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

HYDERABAD, JULY 23: International Master (IM) Surya Shekhar Ganguly of Calcutta caused a major upset on Sunday by holding top seed Grandmaster (GM) Evegeny Vladimirov of Kazhakstan to a draw in the 8th round of the Wipro Grandmaster International Chess Championship being played at hotel Taj Residency here. The top seed, however maintained a slender half-a-point.

India's GM K Sasikiran's victory over Wipro's Aarthie Ramaswamy in the classical variation of the Kings Indian defence was the only decisive result of the day. The other four games ended in a draw after a bitter struggles.

The 94 move marathon tie between GM Maxim Sarokin of Argentina and GM Alexander Fominyh of Russia was an interesting affair but marred by oversights in the time scramble where Sorokin let off the hook. Fominyh defended with his back to the wall and salvaged a draw after 7 hours of play.

In a scotch game, Bengal's sensation Ganguly gave his best against top seed Vladimirov of Kazakhstan. Ganguly perhaps prepared from a famous game of Garry Kasparov-Karpov's World championship match game knowing well that Vladimirov was the second to Kasporov.

In that game Karpov on his 9th move castled on queen's wing but Vladimirov got an improvement by playing 9...g5. Then the game took a bizzare turn, where both played an excellent end game.

In the early stages Vladimirov sacrificed his queen but got back Ganguly's queen next move. In the ensuing ending with double rooks and knight on each side the game was even. When no tactical possibilities were left, they agreed to split the point on the 32nd move.

Wipro's IM P Harikirshna played an enterprising game with white pieces against National champion GM Abhijit Kunte. In Queen's Indian defence Hari got early initiative with a tactical move with his knight moving to `c7', Hari got the double bishop advantage which was looking good enough to wrap up the game as Kunte's pieces were bogged down to the defence of the backward `d6' pawn. However, a dubious 23rd move (b3) by Hari saw Kunte being let off the hook by allowing a timely break in centre by `f5'.

A temporary sacrifice facilitated exchange of Kunte's bad bishop with Hari's powerful bishop. Later Kunte brought his knight to `f4' square and the position looked better with the rook and the king also poised to enter the fray. Hari's bishop and rook were confined to the support of `d5' pawn, while Kunte's rook and knight were in attacking position. However, a break on the king side by `h4', saved him from any mishap. Finally a draw was agreed on the 42nd move.

In a classical variation of King's Indian defence, GM Sasikiran outplayed Aarthie in a beautiful end game. Sasikiran got a firm grip on queenside after advancing in the 13th move c5. Later he got double bishop advantage on the 18th move and saddled Aarthie with backward `e' pawn.

Slowly he grinded a win by advancing queen side pawns and creating a powerful passer, which forced Aarthie to give up on the 46th move.

Sandipan Chanda vs DV Prasad's game in Sicilian Najdorf was a tough affair, where Prasad was in great difficulties. Sandipan who castled on queen's side hurled pawns on enemy king. Prasad's 16th move d5 was dubious as it resulted in an isolated `e' pawn which he lost later.

In the crucial time pressure where both left with second, the arbiter was on his toes to record the moves.

Both played very badly, first Sandipan, who went astray after winning central pawn. Later Prasad, who won back the pawn with initiative went wrong later. Finally Sandipan found perpetual checks and drew after 42 moves.

GM Sorokin-GM Fominyh was the longest game finished after seven hours of play. It was a Sicilian where Sorokin held the definite advantage from the beginning.

After heavy manouevres Sorokin missed several winning chances, played badly in the time pressure and let off Fominyh.

The arbiter N Shalib declared a draw after 94 moves in rook and pawn ending where Sorokin's only pawn was safely blocked. Both the players complained that the digital timer chess clock approved by Fide is not functioning properly.

Results (Round eight): SS Ganguly (3) drew with Vladimirov (5); Sorokin (4) drew with Fominyh (4.5); P Harikrishna (4.5) drew with A Kunte (2.5); S Chanda (3.5) drew with Prasad (4); K Sasikiran (4) beat Aarthie R (1)