Saravana Krishnan on top, shares lead
Chennai based International Master Saravana Krishnan P (4.0) led the table after the fourth round in the 14th Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess tournament 2023 for Sakthi Group Dr N Mahalingam trophy at Hotel Ambassador Pallava, Chennai here today. Sharing the lead with Saravana Krishnan at 4.0 points were five Grandmasters viz., Fedorov Alexei (Belarus), Glek Igor (Belgium), Khusenkhojaev Muhammad (Tajikistan), Manik Mikulas (Slovakia) and Nguyen Duc Hoa (Vietnam).
Half a point behind the leaders at 3.5 points were top seed International Master Aronyak Ghosh, IMs Elgbry Mohsen (Egypt), Logon Tegin Semetei (Kyrgyzstan), Viani Antonio D’cunha and Shahil Dey (both India).
In the upset of the day, Balkishan A (1855) from Mysuru defeated French International Master Buscara Sevan (2362). Showing strength and consistency, Balkishan now moves to 3.5 points, just half a point shy of the leaders. In the earlier round, Sharnarthi Shlok (1832) from Maharashtra upset International Master Nitin Senthilvel (2385).
This 10 round tournament carries a prize fund of Rs 20 lakhs with the winner picking up a cash award of Rs 4 lakhs along with a trophy. Six more exciting rounds are in store for chess lovers, as the event concludes by Sunday 7th January, 2023.
Round 4 results : (Indians unless specified) Aronyak Ghosh (3.5) drew with Elgabry Mohsen (Egypt) 3.5, Fedorov Alexei (Belarus) 4 bt Murali Krishnan B T (3), Rohit S (3) lost to Glek Igor (Belgium) 4, Matta Vinay Kumar (3.5) drew with Viani Antonio D’cunha (3.5), Jaiswal Rupesh (Nepal) 3.5 drew with Tologon Tegin Semetei (Kyrgyzstan) 3.5, Adhiraj Mitra (3) lost to Saravana Krishnan P (4), Aakash G (3.5) drew with Sahil Dey (3.5), Khusenkhojaev Muhammad (Tajikistan) 4 bt Kolla Bhaavan (3), Manik Mikulas (Slovakia) 4 bt Sriram Adarsh Uppala (3), Jake Shanty (3.5) drew with Laxman R R (3.5).
Round 3 results : (Indians unless specified) Chandar Raju (2) lost to Aronyak Ghosh (3), Srihari L R (2.5) drew with Balkishan A (2.5), Sharnarthi Viresh (2) lost to Fedorov Alexei (Belarus) 3, Glek Igor (Belgium) 3 bt Khairmode Dhanashree (2), Mummana Venkata Ruthvik (2.5) drew with Ajay Karthikeyan (2.5), Viani Antonio D’cunha (3) bt Raihaan Zahid (2), Sharnarthi Shlok (3) bt Nitin S (2), Tologon Tegin Semetei (Kyrgyzstan) 3 bt Om Nagnath Lamkane (2), Shah Jeet (2.5) drew with Podolchenko Evgeniy (Belarus) 2.5, Hari Ganesh T (2) lost to Khusenkhojaev Muhammad (Tajikistan) 3.