ONGC 53rd National Premier Chess Championship – 2015

ONGC 53rd National Premier Chess Championship – 2015
By Arvind Aaron

Vidit Gujarati won a rook for minor piece to defeat P Karthikeyan in the ninth round of the ONGC National Premier Chess Championship that is taking place at Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu on November 24, 2015.

Vidit has reestablished his one point lead with seven points from nine games. Karthikeyan Murali moved to second place with six points. Needing a draw for a GM norm, P Karthikeyan disappointed and lost in 36 moves.

Vidit’s greater knowledge of the Catalan and a central knight helped him win in 36 moves.

Four rounds remain to be played in this 14-player event. Karthikeyan Murali played the Pirc and accepted the pawn sacrifices of Shyaam Nikil. When he was 3 pawns up, on turn 36, white resigned.

Arghyadip Das accepted the queen’s gambit of Dhopade to defend and win in 58 moves.

The results (round nine): Vidit Gujrathi (PSPB) 7 bt P Karthikeyan (Rly) 5½; A  Kunte (PSPB) 3½ drew with S.P. Sethuraman (PSPB) 4½; P Shyaam Nikil (TN) 3 lost to Karthikeyam Murali (TN) 6; M Shyam Sundar (AAI) 4½ drew M.R. Venkatesh (PSPB) 4; K Praneeth Surya (Tel) 4½ drew with Deep Sengupta (PSPB) 3½; Swapnil Dhopade  (Rly) 4 lost to Arghyadip Das (Rly) 5; K Rathnakaran (Rly) 3½ drew Neelotpas Das (PSPB) 4½.