Laznica joins leaders, Sasikaran held in Kolkata Open

Kolkata, March 26 (IANS) GM Viktor Laznica of the Czech Republic joined the leaders Wednesday in the Third Kolkata Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament, even as Krishnan Sasikiran had to settle for another draw.

Laznica won easily against IM M.R. Venkatesh of India. Laznicka employed the Catalan opening against his opponent and won a pawn on the queenside. Venkatesh resigned on the 35th move after he lost another pawn.

Also in the lead are IMs Arun Prasad and P. Konguvel of India. Both of them played exciting games to defeat GMs Safin Sukhrat of Uzbekistan and Dibyendu Barua of India respectively.

IM Arun Prasad played an attacking game against the Benoni defence of GM Sukhrat. Prasad won an exchange and forced the resignation of his opponent on the 39th move when he was about to win a piece.

Konguvel was at his attacking best against the French defence employed by Barua. Both players attacked on opposite wings but Konguvel's attack was faster and he forced the resignation on the 30th move.

GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam also joined the leaders with a victory over IM K. Rathnakaran, the runner-up of the recent National Championship.

Koneru Humpy managed to win against IM Akshyayraj Kore, but the top seed Sasikiran was surprisingly held by local lad Arghyadip Das in a marathon game.

Indian GM Tejas Bakre also held second seed Smbat Lputian of Armenia in a quick game.

Sandipan Chanda won against IM Watu Kobese of South Africa by sacrificing a piece to keep his opponents king in the centre. The game lasted for only 24 moves.

Top Board Results:

GM Sambat Lputian (2.5) drew with GM Tejas Bakre (2.5)

GM Viktor Laznicka (3) beat IM M.R. Venkatesh (2)

IM K. Rathnakaran (2) lost to GM Nguyen Anh Dung (3)

GM Vladimir Dobrov (2.5) drew with IM R.R. Laxman (2.5)

IM Arun Prasad (3) beat GM Safin Shukhrat (2)

IM P. Konguvel (3) beat GM Dibyendu Barua (2)

GM Neelotpal Das (2.5) drew with Rolando Nolte (2.5)

M.S. Thejkumar (3) beat IM Ashwin Jayaram (2)

Arghyadip Das (2) drew with GM Krishnan Sasikiran (2)

IM Akshyayraj Kore (1.5) lost to GM Koneru Humpy (2.5)

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