Mumbai: Vietnamese Grandmaster Tran Tuan Minh (2524) emerged as the sole leader after recording a crucial victory over Indian challenger IM Visakh N.R. (2491) in a seventh round of the EKA | IIFL Investment Managers 4th Mumbai International Chess Tournament 2018, organised under the auspices of Mumbai City District Chess Association and All India chess federation by ACT, SMCA and Indian Chess School and played at World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade.
The Indian Visakh, playing with the white was unable to consolidate his position and had a dismal day as he went down to the Vietnam player on the top board. The full point earned for this win has propelled the Vietnamese GM to 6.5 points which is one point clear than the closest rivals. He will now look to pick up more points in the remaining two rounds to emerge champion and add to his success at the Bhopal International GM Tournament.
Visakh is now in fourth place and will be looking to gain at least 1.5 points in the last two games to make his third and final GM norm from this tournament. GM Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh moved up six places in the rankings after his win over Australia’s IM Rishi Sardana on Board 3 and is now ranked in second place behind Tran.
IM Muthaiah Al moved up one place after his draw against GM Sandipan Chanda on Board 2 and is in third place after seven rounds. IM Gukesh D, also on 5.5 points along with Visakh, Ziaur and Muthaiah, completes the top 5 after his win over top seed GM Aleksandrov Aleksej of Belarus. Two other players, GM Abhimanyu Puranik and GM Ivan Rozum of Russia are also in contention for second place with their 5.5 points, heading into round eight.
Results (Round 7) IM Visakh N.R. (Ind 5.5) 5.5 lost GM Tran Tuan Minh (Vie 6.5) 6.5; GM Chanda Sandipan (Ind, 5) 5 drew IM Muthaiah Al (Ind, 5.5); GM Rahman Ziaur (Ban, 5.5) bt IM Sardana Rishi (Aus, 5); IM Gukesh D (Ind 5.5) bt GM Aleksandrov Aleksej (Blr, 4.5), GM Lugovskoy Maxim (Rus 4.5) lost GM Rozum Ivan (Rus, 5.5), GM Deepan Chakkravarthy J. (Ind, 4.5) drew IM Rajesh VAV (Ind, 4.5), GM Mosadeghpour Masoud (Iri, 5) bt IM Rathnakaran K (Ind, 4); GM Saptarshi Roy (Ind, 4.5) drew Ritviz Parab (Ind, 4.5); FM Mohammad Fahad Rahman (Ban, 4) lost IM Gajek Radoslaw (Aut, 5); IM Sangma Rahul (Ind 4) lost GM Ankit R Rajpara (Ind, 5).
KSA win
Karnatak Sporting Association (KSA) defeated Companeroes SC 5-0 in a one-sided Elite Division match of the Rustomjee-MDFA Leagues at the Mumbai Football Arena, Andheri.