Kanpur: The eight round of the Karam Devi Memorial 23rd National Under-17 Open Chess Championship today witnessed the longest game of the championship so far here.
It was between top ranked International Master Vaibhav Suri of Delhi and Tamil Nadu’s G Akash. The four-hour long battle, which ended in a draw after 127 moves, allowed both the players applying their knowledge full to surprise each other.
Suri while playing with white initiated the proceedings with e4, but Akash defended the move in Sicilian defense, further converting the game into Sveshnikov Variation. The draw, however, split the points between the two and overnight leader Akash managed to maintained his top position along with CM Prince Bajaj (both 6.5 points each).
Delhi’s Bajaj proved his might against Shashaank DS of Tamil Nadu. Though Shashaank applied the French defense, he had con conceded a vital point in after 28 moves.
In terms of local challenge in the championship, there was a silver lining today, when Kanpur’s Ashutosh Mishra thrashed his city mate Abhay Tripathi.
Andhra Pradesh’s girl Pratyusha Bodda was in a superb touch today as she outplayed Michelle Catherina P of Tamil Nadu in 42moves to lead the table with seven points.
Women FIDE Master Saranya J of Tamil Naduplayed with black pieces against her state mate BalaKannamma P. She defended the subtle e4 by Sicilian Defense and led the game into Najdorf Variation and finally managed to win after 41 moves.
Tomorrow, IM Vaibhav Suri will battle against Patil Pratik of Maharashtra while CM Prince Bajaj will face G Akash in the ninth round of the championship. In girl’s category, Pratyusha Bodda will take on Sonakshi Rathore of Rajasthan, while WFM Saranya J will lock horns with Sunsakta Satpathy of Orissa.
Points Position
After 8th round (boys): G Akash, CM Prince Bajaj (both 6.5 pts), Patil Pratik, IM Vaibhav Suri, Krishna M Teja,Padhya Saumil, Rishi Sardana (all 6 pts), Shashaank D S, Mohd. Nubairshaikh, Karma Pandya, Manigandan SS, Rosjan Rangarajan (all 5.5 pts).
Girls: Pratyusha Bodda (7 pts), Saranya J (6.5pts), Rathore Sonakshi (6 pts), Sunyasakta Satpathy, Michelle Catherina P,Priya Vss, Srija Seshadri, Bala Kannamma P (all 5.5 pts).
By Indian Sports News Network
