Aeroflot Open-2018 02-03: Two leaders emerge

Tournament leader GM Victor Bologan (Right)

Photos: Niklesh Jain

The Aeroflot Open 2018 International chess festival is being held from 19 February to 1 March at the Cosmos Hotel Moscow, Russia.

As a part of the exposure trip, the selected Indian team consisting of 39 members (18 men + 17 women + 4 coaches) are being sponsored at full cost by the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Here you can find the team list.

After three rounds,  GM Victor Bologan (2600) and GM Petrosian Tigran L (2589) are only two players with 3.0/3 score in the Open-A category.

Top-rated Indians are struggling to squeeze victories. India no. 3 GM Vidit Gujrathi (2723) was held to a draw by compatriot IM Eesha Karavade (2386) in the second round.  While Armenia’s GM Petrosyan Manuel (2569) put up a fight in the third round to secure a draw against Nasik’s only Grandmaster.

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Former Asian Champion S.P Sethuraman defeated GM Kulaots Kaido (2582) in the second round but succumbed to a loss against seasoned Armenian Grandmaster Tigran Petrosian  (2589).

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Two-time Indian Champion Karthikeyan Murali defeated statemate IM Iniyan P in round 3.

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GM Aravindh Chithambaram (2617) started his campaign with solid 2.0/3 points. He defeated IM Liu Yan (2476) of China and drew against  GM Aryan Chopra (2509).

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IM Nihal Sarin (2532) drew against GM  Ernesto Inarkiev (2684) and GM Piorun Kacper (2659) in round 2 & 3 respectively.

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Pairings of the 4th round for IND