Open Section
Lalith Babu M R is the sole leader
Grand Master Lalith Babu M R (5.5) defeated second seed GM Vaibhav Suri (4.5) on the 2nd board with Black pieces in the sixth game of the Italian variation. GM Swapnil Dhopade bounced back after losing the 2nd game, winning four games in a row. In this round, he defeated FM Lui Yi of Australia with Black pieces and is now on 5 points alongside four other players. Top seed GM S P Sethuraman drew in 28 moves against IM S Rohith Krishnan in the Ragozin variation.
Under 18 Open and Girls
Top seed IM S Aswath and unseeded Sri Lankan player Liyanage Pesandu Rasmitha both won their games and are leading the tournament. They both have 5.5 points, leading by a large 1.5-point margin over the other competitors.
Indian leader S Kanishka lost to Koh Wei le Gladys of Singapore, who is now the sole leader with 4.5 points.
Under 16 Open and Girls
Siva Kumar, Nirish Kumar and Ernest Yek ju Yang from Malaysia are leading with 5 points. Top seed Daaevik lost to the lower-rated Ernest Yek Zu Yang of Malaysia.
In the Girls section, Sneha Halder and Yashvi Jain from India have taken a comfortable lead with 5 points. Today, they both defeated their Sri Lankan opponents.
Under 14 Open and Girls
Jval Saurin Patel won his game against CM Hansana G Harath of Sri Lanka and is leading the tournament with 5.5 points. V Raghav is half a point behind the leader after drawing his game with Tanus Kapoor of Singapore.
In the girls’ section, K.P Theephigaa won her game and became the sole leader with 5 points after 6 rounds. Prishita Gupta is on 4.5 points after drawing with Hemalini from Sri Lanka.
Under 12 Open and Girls
Aaradhya Suyog Bagul from Singapore is leading with 5.5 points. On the top board, Ayaan Garg couldn’t convert his advantage into a win in a Benko Opening.
In the girls’ section, Aadya Gowda achieved victory against Aadya Ranganath on the top board. Pratitee of India also won her game and is a joint leader with other Indians.
Under 10 Open and Girls
Rahul Ramakrishnan is leading with a perfect 6/6 after winning against his Indian opponent Muhaammad Shayan Noushad Ibrahim on the top board. Rahul now has a 2-point lead.
In the girls’ section, A.S Sharvaanica has taken a comfortable 1-point lead after 6 rounds. She won against Maha Nathan of Malaysia.
Under 8 Open and Girls
Mani Sarbharto won again with Black pieces in the sixth round and maintains a perfect score of 6/6. In the 6th round, he won against Ganakaran Pugalles of Malaysia.
Mani Sarbharto has taken a commanding lead in the Open Under 8 Category
In the girls’ section, Sri Lankan players are leading the tournament.