Reigning National Champion GM Lalith Babu wins Shanghai Open

2018 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Chess Open

Grandmaster MR. Rohit Lalith Babu, the reigning National champion in classical and rapid format, won the 2018 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Chess Open which took place from 14th to 22nd October at Xingtai Hebei, China.

The 25-year-old Grandmaster from Andhra Pradesh remained undefeated throughout the tournament by scoring seven points from nine rounds on Monday.

In the fourth round, he was paired against compatriot IM Nitin S. In a complex middlegame which arose from Caron-Kann Defence: Two Knights Variation, Lalith envisaged a deadly kingside attack on White. He, further, sacrificed his Queen to take home the point in 30 moves.

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However, his win against talented young IM Xu Yi consolidated his lead in the tournament.

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In the final round, Lalith’s solid play against top-seeded GM Zvjaginsev Vadim (Russia) fetched him a comfortable draw. Three players tied for the first spot, but Lalith was declared the winner with a better tie-break score.

Final Ranking after 9 Rounds

Official Site