Asian Indoor Individual 04-06: Sasikiran eyes podium finish

Some of the top seeds finally had to square off against each other in the men’s and women’s Standard Individual Chess event of the Ashgabat 2017 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games which is being held in Chess Arena.

Round 4

On board 3, Sasikiran squeezed into a rook ending with four pawns versus three on the kingside against Enamul Hossain (BAN).

Sasikiran went on to win but told ANS his opponent could have held a draw had he prevented white from playing a pawn to h5.

On board 4, Mollah Abdullah Al Rakib (BAN), playing black against Surya Shekhar Ganguly, fianchettoed both bishops and declined to move a central pawn with his first five moves. Ganguly duly advanced c4, d4, and d5, claiming a space advantage he could nurse for the rest of the game.

Ganguly weakened several black pawns, and after the first one dropped in a heavy piece ending, Al Rakib resigned.

In the women’s section, IM Tania Sachdev and IM Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman won against their respective lower rated opponents without breaking any sweat.

Round 5

On board 1, Sasikiran Krishnan drew top seed Quang Liem Le (VIE).

On board 3, Pouya Idani (IRI) defeated Surya Shekhar Ganguly after the latter missed a small combination that led to an inferior rook ending.

In the Women’s event, IM Tania Sachdev held IM Saduakassova Dinara (KAZ) to a draw on Board 3. Whereas, IM Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman crushed her opponent Omurbekova Diana (KGZ) in 35 moves.

Round 6

On board 1 of the men’s competition, Sasikiran Krishnan (IND) looked to build pressure on the f-file against sole leader LU Shanglei (CHN), but LU covered the threats deftly.

Sasikiran had some pressure in the ending, but agreed to a draw.

On board 5, Surya Shekar Ganuguly had a fine victory against IM Nezad Husein Aziz (QAT)

After round 6, IM Tania Sachdev and IM Vijayalakshmi are on a 4 points tally.

With just one round to go in the men’s and women’s Standard Individual Chess events, LE Quang Liem and Tan Zhongyi (CHN) sit in gold medal positions. India’s GM Sasikiran Krishnan eyes for a podium finish as he is taking on IM Annaberdiev Meilis.

The final round 7 is scheduled for Sunday 24 (today) September, in the Chess Arena.

Round 7 on 2017/09/24 at 09.00 AM

Round 7 on 2017/09/24 at 09.00 AM

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