Prakash becomes GM-elect; second GM norm for Chanda

Prakash becomes GM-elect; second GM norm for Chanda
Srinivasa Raghavan

Kolkata, February 14: Guruswamy Balagurunathan Prakash (India) become a GM-elect, grinding Ukrainian Dimitri Komarov in the Goodricke International Open Chess, to achieve his third and final GM norm. Compatriot Sandipan Chanda made his second GM norm with a quick draw against Evgeny Vladimirov. Iranian youngster Ghaem Maghami Ehsan also made his second GM norm while Filipino Datu Idelfanso got his second IM norm on the most eventful and action packed ninth round at Gorky Sadan, here on Wednesday.

Russian Andrei Kharlov used Joseph Gallagher’s time pressure to his advantage, inflicting first defeat on the Swiss GM. Maxim Sorokin benefited from Harikrishna’s feckless play from a winning position to join Kharlov, Gallagher, Chanda and Maghami at the top with 6.5 points.

Now, Prakash needs to increase his rating from 2453 to 2500 for confirming his title. Prakash guessed Komarov’s preparation and got the position he wanted. Sidestepping Komarov’s 16th move sacrifice, Prakash came out of tactical skirmish amidst technical difficulties. Reaching a double rook ending, Prakash exchanged one of his rooks and pushed his ‘a’ passer to deliver the knock out punch. It has been a tremendous show from the 28-year-old Indian Bank, Assistant Manager, in the last one year. He made his first norm at 2000 Goodricke and second norm came at Pentamedia GM in Chennai last year.The Kolkata boy’s tactical flair and fighting attitude got him the norm despite losing his first round to Bong Villamayor. His victory over Israeli GM Victor Mikhalevski was impressive. The energetic Maghami outplayed Villamayor in the Advanced French to get his norm. Maghami’s solid play and tough attitude make him a tough opponent to crack. Albeit losing in the first round of the World Champioship at New Delhi, he gave higher ranked German Christopher Lutz a run for his money.

Prakash’s brother RB Ramesh kept his GM norm hopes alive, bettering GM Abhijit Kunte. Polish GM Tomasz Markowski would have been a relieved man after ending his six game drawing streak at the expense of Sriram Jha.

Results (9th round): A Kharlov (Rus) 6.5 bt J Gallagher (Swi) 6.5; Sandipan Chanda (Ind) 6.5 drew E Vladimirov (Kaz) 6; Ghaem Maghami Ehsan (Irn) 6.5 bt B Villamayor (Phi) 5.5; D Reinderman (Ned) 6 drew Ziaur Rahman (Ban) 6; D Barua (Ind) 6 drew N Wajih (Ind) 6; P Harikrishna (Ind) 5 lost to M Sorokin (Arg) 6.5; RB Ramesh (Ind) 6 bt Abhijit Kunte (Ind) 5; GB Prakash (Ind) 6 bt D Komarov (Ukr) 5; N Miezis (Lat) 4.5 lost to Mariano Nelson (Phi) 5.5; Chito Garma (Phi) 5.5 bt I Rausis (Lat) 4.5; TS Ravi (Ind) 4.5 lost to A Barsov (Uzb) 5.5; V Mikhalevski (Isr) 5.5 bt Lanka Ravi (Ind) 4.5; CS Gokhale (Ind) 4.5 lost to S Vijayalakshmi (Ind) 5.5; A Khamatgaleev (Rus) 4.5 lost to Datu Idelfanso (Phi) 5.5; T Markowski (Pol) 5 bt Sriram Jha (Ind) 4; A Simutowe (Zam) 5 bt Koneru Humpy (Ind) 4; T Bakre (Ind) 5 bt J Dworakowska (Pol) 4; PDS Girinath (Ind) 4.5 drew K urugan (Ind) 4.5; GP Singh (Ind) 5 bt S Satyapragyan (Ind) 4; SS Ganguly (Ind) 4.5 bt DK Sharma (Ind) 3.5.