JOIN USAbhijeet scores over Nguyen
Another Indian G N Gopal drew with tournament leader Wesley So of Philippines in 32 moves to remain in the second spot, which he also shares with Chinese trio of Ni Hua, Li Chao, Yu Yangyi and Bayarsekhan Gundavaa of Mongolia.
Second seed Krishnan Sasikiran was surprisingly held by lower-ranked John Paul Gomez of Philippines while P Harikrishna could not break the ice against Zeng Chongsheng of China.
Harikrishna may have to win all the remaining three games to keep alive his hopes of qualifying for the next World Cup for which there are five places reserved. Harikrishna has 3.5 points so far.
Grandmaster Tejas Bakre improved his chances in the tournament at the expense of Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh. It was one of the most interesting games of the day as Tejas matched Zia move for move from an irregular Sicilian and sacrificed an exchange to get a winning middle game.
S P Sethuraman accounted for Allan Macal of Philippines to also reach four points like Bakr, while National Champion B Adhiban was held to a draw by Chinese Yu Ruiyuan.
In the women’s section, former champion Tania Sachdev and S Meenakshi improved their standings with fine victories in the sixth round. The other Indian in the fray, Kiran Manisha Mohanty held second seed Tan Zhongyi to a draw. All the three Indians have 3.5 points.
Important results (Open, Round VI, Indians unless stated): G N Gopal (4.5) drew Wesley So (Phi, 5); Yu Yangyi (Chn, 4.5) drew Ni Hua (Chn, 4.5); Ding Liren (Chn, 4.5) drew Li Chao (Chn, 4.5); Zhao Weiqi (Chn, 3.5) lt to Bayarsekhan Gundavaa (Mgl, 4.5); John Paul Gomez (Phi, 4) drew K Sasikiran (4); Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy (Vie, 3.5) lt to Abhijeet Gupta (4.5); B Adhiban (4) drew Yu Ruiyuan (Chn, 4); P Harikrishna (3.5) drew Zeng Chongsheng (Chn, 3.5); D Harika (3.5) drew Zhang Zhong (Sin, 3.5); Ziaur Rahman (Ban, 3) lt to Tejas Bakre (4); Allan Macala (Phi, 3) lt to S P Sethuraman (4); Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (Vie, 3.5) bt Neelotpal Das (2.5); S Kidambi (2.5) lt to Kirill Kuderinov (Kaz, 3.5); Padmini Rout (1.5) lt to Jony Habla (Phi, 3).
Women: Kiran Manisha Mohanty (3.5) drew Tan Zhongyi (Chn, 3.5); Tania Sachdev (3.5) bt Pham Le Thao Nguyen (Vie, 2.5); Xu Huahua (Chn, 2) lt to Subbaraman Meenakshi (3.5).