Vladimirov, Sasikiran emerge joint leaders

Grandmaster Evgeny Vladimirov of Kazakhstan and K Sasikiran of India emerged joint leaders with 6.5 points each at the end of the tenth round of the PentaMedia GMs chess tournament at Kelambakkam near Madras on Thursday.

Top seed Vladimirov settled for a draw against Russian teammate GM Alexy Fomiyh. This helped teenager K Sasikiran catch up with overnight leader Vladimirov after he scored a crucial victory over IM P Harikrishna.

International Master G B Prakash, who already got a nine-game norm on Thursday, consolidated his position by getting a 10-game draw after holding GM Abhijit Kunte in Thursday's match. He now needs only a 9-game GM norm to complete his title requirement.

In a long-drawn battle between GM K Sasikiran and GM norm aspirant P Harikrishna, the former chose his pet Reti opening. Even before the opening phase was completed, Sasi rolled his pawn towards black's King. He made a telescopic penetration into enemy territory with his pair of rooks. At the right time, Sasi challenged Hari's queen and once the queens were off the board, Sasikiran's rooks were causing a havoc on the queen side.

Sasikiran simplified the position after heading for a pawn up ending. His accurate play put Harikrishna in trouble in the end game. Once he obtained a passer on the queen Bishop file, he was able to wind up the game in 70 moves. This loss ruined Harikrishna's chances of making his maiden norm, as he needed three points from three rounds.

In a queen's gambit accepted game, Vladimirov and Forminyh split points after making a formal 10 moves.Having already got a bye, Vladimirov and Sasikiran have to play three more games.

The encounter between national champion Abhijit Kunte and G B Prakash ended in a draw involving Nimzo Indian defence, lasting only 15 moves. Prakash has also tallied 6.5 points,but since he is due for a bye only in the last round, he has completed 10 games already.

In the norm aspect, irrespective of any result in the final two rounds, Prakash is confirmed with a 10-game GM norm. GM Dibeyendu Baru had a cakewalk over Iranian champion Ghaem Maghami, after the latter blundered away his queen. Against a Reti opening, Barua made dynamic moves to take total control. Barua's queen zoomed white's queen side to win a handful of pawns.

Barua pinned up white's knight with rook to gobble the piece. Enjoying a piece up position, he challenged Meghami.

D V Prasad, who is performing far below form, bounced back to score a full point against Surya Sekar Ganguly in the 10th round. In a Sicilian Najdorf system, both players made careful moves. The game reached a major piece ending when Prasad had a knight for white's bishop. Despite this equality, Prasad had an upper hand as he had connected passed pawns. The vital pawn structures made Prasad's task of garnering a full point in 41 moves easier.

GM norm Sandipan Chanda, who is known for his fighting qualities, held one more GM to a draw today. Against GM Saidali Yuldashev, he went out for a Ruy Lopez opening, which saw a balanced middle game. After neutralisation of major pieces, the game turned out to be a minor piece ending with equal pawns. The net result was a draw in 55 moves.