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 International Master Neelotpal Das of Kolkata overcame team-mate Lanka Ravi to remain in joint lead at the end of the third round of the 5th Asian Chess Championship being played at the Air-Conditioned Yousufguda Stadium in Hyderabad on Oct 8.
After three rounds, three players, Zhang Zhong of China, Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam and Neelotpal Das are leading with full three points. Neelotpal Das is in good form and had made a grandmaster norm earlier this year at Spain.
Neelotpal Das, the 2509 rated 1982-born ONGC player from Kolkata turned down a draw offer from Lanka Ravi, also of ONGC, but Hyderabad to register a victory with the black pieces in 36 moves. Ravi's weak king position with the white pieces in a Slav defence cost him a crucial point.
Zhang Zhong overcame his countryman Zhao Jun in 50 moves with the white pieces after his queen and knight combined well against the queen and bishop. Zhao played the Sicilian Sveshnikov and the game was in balance for long with the experienced Zhang having a well placed knight in the middle of the board.
Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam is determined to improve his placing in the Asian Championship after his well carved out victory over Marat Dzhumaev with the black pieces in a Sicilian Defence, Rossolimo variation. "He was short of time and I outplayed him after my 21st move, said Dao, the grandmaster from Saigon who won in 33 moves. Later he said Vietnam has four grandmasters and his best was second place in 1998 at Teheran. "My main rivals are the Chinese and perhaps not Sasikiran after the defeat he suffered in round two," observed 27-year old Dao.
Reefat Bin-Sattar who recently completed his grandmaster norm requirements drew China's Wang Hao with the black pieces when his opponent found a novel way to repeat the position and draw in 46 moves.
Kidambi held higher rated grand master Wang Yue of China to a creditable draw. Showing courage the Bharat Petroleum player refused a draw offer after he believed that he could play on. When the game came down to the last five minutes on the clock, they agreed to a draw when the position also evened out.
Top seed Sasikiran and Koneru Humpy are on recovery mode having won their second game after tasting one defeat already. But GMs Ramesh, Chanda and GM norm seeking M.R.Venkatesh suffered defeats.
Six rounds remain to be played in this 86-player $32,500 prize money event. The last round and the prize distribution will be held on October 15. The top ten players will qualify for the World Championship.
For full results please check at
http://www.asianchessfedcom/hyd/r3.htm
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