Krastiv Martyn Triumphs

Krastiv Martyn Triumphs

BY Praful Zaveri

Grandmaster Krastiv Martyn from Ukraine edged out Georgian, GM Luka Paichadze on a better tie-break to win the 8^th edition of Mumbai Mayor’s International Chess Tournament sponsored by Brihanmumbai Municiapl Corporation, co-sponsored by LIC of India and hosted by the Goregaon Sports Club at their premises.

Krastiv takes home the winner’s purse of Rs.3 Lakhs from a prize pool of Rs.11 Lakhs and the glittering LIC Chairman’s trophy. GM Luka Paichadze had to content with a cash prize of Rs.2 Lakhs while GM Nguyen Duc from Vietnam was awarded Rs.1 Lakh for securing the 3^rd position.

In the crucial last round encounter between Krastiv vs Priyadarshan, the latter, playing black, adopted Two Knight’s defense – an opening which offers attacking possibilities for at the cost of a pawn. The game went on equal footing as both the players adopted a positive approach in the middle game but the position started deteriorating for Priyadrashan thereafter and he resigned on move 65.

The other Indian in sight of title chances, GM Laxman was not equal to task against GM Luka Paichadze. The game from Queen’s Indian opening witnessed heavy exchange of material from the early middle game and Laxman sacrificed his Queen for two Rooks of Luka. The game was even at this stage but Laxman failed to find proper continuation, which allowed Luka to win one pawn and create a dangerous passed pawn to clinch the victory on move 36.

The encounter between the joint overnight leaders, Zubov Alexander vs Nguyen Duc did not produce any decisive result.

The prize for the best women players was won by WFM Rucha Pujari & WGM Bhakti Kulkarni while Abhimanyu Puranik and Siva Mahadevan were able to win their International Masters norm. The prize distribution ceremony was presided over by Honourble MP, Shri Gopal Shetty.