Dholpade defeats Russian GM in international chess

Nagpur lad IM Swapnil Dholpade upset Russian GM Daniil Lintchevski to earn his GM norm even as GM Deep Sengupta maintained his joint lead along with GM nominated Vidit Gujrathi, GM SP Sethuraman and four others with 6.5 points each at the end of Round-9 in the international open chess tournament here today.

Deep with black pieces had a gruelling draw against GM SP Sethuraman. IM nominated Diptayan Ghosh, who got his 4th IM norm here, today held former World Junior champion GM Abhijit Gupta, highest rated players in the Indian contingent.

Among the upsets, IM Vishnu Prasanna shocked GM Adly Ahmed of Egypt on board 5, while IM Saptarshi Roy also had a very good win against GM Sahaj Grover.

With 5.5 points in his kitty Saptarshi joined joint third position.

Fifteen-year-old boy from Shirdi FM Shardul Gagare today confirmed his first IM norm by splitting point with Akshat Chandra of the US IM Vidit, the latest GM of India, to be confirmed by FIDE in the next month, today accepted draw offer just after 14 moves by GM Viorel Iordachescu (2619) of Moldavia.

Vidit played Nimjo-Indian opening against much experienced and very composed player Viorel, but the game turned complicated, where chance of outright result was very dim.

GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly bounced back by outwitting IM MS Thejkumar.

Both members of "Team Anand", Surya and topseed GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek of Poland got back their stroke to remain in the list of aspirants.

Radoslaw today overcame Indian GM RR Laxman's resistance in 36 moves.

GM Sandipan Chanda who was playing below par, had to content with a draw against former World Youth U12 champion 18 years old Narayanan Srinath.

Former U12 champion FM Sayantan Das beat Vikramjit Singh while WGM Mary Ann Gomes took the advantage of playing a lower rated Sameer Kathmale to earn full point.

WGM Nisha Mohota continued her drawing spree for the seventh time in this tournament as she drew with IM Swayams Misra.