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Shashikiran, Pravin Thipsay score

Top seed GM Julian Hodgson (7) continued to lead the field despite a lucky draw against GM Peter Wells (6) of England in the eighth round of the British Chess Championship at Sacrborough yesterday.

IM Zia Ur Rahmaan (6.5) of Bangladesh scored a billiant victory over im Mathew Turner (5.5) of England to emerge clear second, just half a point behind Hodgson.

GM Peter Wells, playing while, was clearly better against the top seed. Wells, however, came under acute time pressure and allowed Hodgson lot of counterplay to get away with a draw.

IM Zia Ur Rahman (6.5) played a brilliant attacking game from white side of English opening to outwit IM M Turner (5.5) of England.

IM D Gormally (6) and IM Jonathan Rowson (6) drew their game to occupy third position alongwith GM Peter Wells (6).

National champion IM K Shashikiran and GM Pravin Thipsay (both 5.5) scored smooth victories over GM Aaron Summerscale (4.5) and IM Garry Lane (4.5), both of England, respectively.

Shashikiran adopted King's Indian defence against Summerscale, who launched a dangerous four pawns attack. Shashi defended well and won three pawns and the game in Summerscale's time pressure.

National junior champion S Kidambi (4.5) employed Caro Kan defence against fourth seed GM Stuart Conquest (4.5) of England. Kidambi maintained the balance throughout and drew after a marathon end-game.

IM V. Saravanan (5) employed Pirc defence to draw with British IM Miroslav Houska (5), GM norm holder Abhijit Kunte (5) scored a smooth victory over teenager Richard Pert (4) of England from black side of Torre opening.

IWMs Anupama Gokhale (3) and Bhagyashree Thipsay (3) drew with Alan Barton (2.5) and Charles Tipplestone (3) respectively. World under-12 girls champion Koneru Humpy (3.5) scored a nice win over Costas Harris (2.5) of Egnland.

Important results of the eighth round:
gm p wells (6) eng drew gm jhodgson (7) eng im d gormally (6) eng drew im j rowson (6) sco im z rahman (6.5) ban beat im m turner (5.5) eng gm b lalic (5.5 eng drew gm j emms (5.5) eng gm p thipsay (5.5) ind beat im g lane (5) eng gm a summerscale (4.5) eng lost to im shashikiran (5.5) ind im m houska (5) eng drew im saravanan (5) ind gm s conquest (4.5) eng drew s kidambi (4.5) ind r. Pert (4) eng lost to im a. Kunte (5) ind tipplestone (3) eng drew iwm b thipsay (3) ind iwm a gokhale (3) ind drew r barton (2.5) eng h. Costas (2.5) eng lost to iwm k humpy (3.5) ind. Uni xc jm nd0625 mumbai 07 27