Deep Sengupta Shocked In Round Two

By Arvind Aaron

Former world under-12 champion Deep Sengupta of Kolkata was shocked in round two by T.U. Navin Kanna of Chennai in the Asian Junior Chess Championship sponsored by Sri Sai Ram Engineering.

After two rounds, 12 players are in lead with two points from as many games and it includes Navin Kanna, B. Adhiban, Vidit Gujrathi and others. In another mild upset, top seed Sethuraman of Chennai was held to a draw by Purushothaman of Guntur in a sensational game.

The girls section saw two higher ranked players dish out draws and both were struggling for the draw before actually making it. It included defending champion Mary Ann Gomes of Kolkata who lost two pawns and then drew a touch and go ending against Sivasankari of Chennai.

National Sub-Junior champion R. Bharthi of Chennai spotted a little tactic on move eight to win a pawn against world under-14 champion Padmini Rout. The Orissa player had to fight for a draw and she achieved her mission in an opposite colour bishop and rook ending.

Six players, including top seed Kruttika Nadig of Pune are leading with two points from two rounds. Seven rounds remain to be played in both sections. The field includes 68 boys and 34 girls from six countries.

Players have started to call this the best organised Asian Junior. This venue and the hotel are the best and I have heard this is the best Asian Junior organised, said Akshat Khamparia of Indore. And world under-14 champion Vidit Gujrathi of Nasik said the food is very good. You can expect him to put on some weight and return on a happy note from Chennai.