GM Michael Kransenkow Takes Lead
By Praful Zaveri

In the much awaited clash between the top two seeded players of the LIC – Mumbai Mayor's International Chess Tournament, GM Michael Kransenkow & Koneru Humpy, the Polish GM proved his superiority by overcoming Humpy with a scintillating display of high quality Chess to take the sole lead with a score of 7½ at the end of round 8 in progress here at the Goregaon Sports Club.

Kransenkow, who struggled in the earlier rounds, finally adjusted well to the Mumbai conditions and showed his skills for which he is famous. In the Nimzo Indian game development was even from both the sides however; in the middle game Humpy, playing black, came up with a very good sacrifice of two minor pieces to gain Kransenkow's Rook. In the ensuing ending after the exchange queens, Humpy had one Rook and three pawns against two Bishops and two pawns of Kransenkow and it appeared that Black had better chances. However; an inaccuracy by Humpy allowed Kransenkow to activate his Bishop and create a dangerous passer on the 'h' file. Humpy resigned on move 47 when faced with imminent mate.

To the delight of good number of spectators who had gathered today, this round also produced decisive result on the top five boards. On the 2nd table young Adhiban was pitted against experience GM Abhijit Kunte. In the Sicilian Defense game Adhiban launched an all out kingside attack against Black's King however; Kunte was equal to the task and ensured a safe shelter of his King with a nice pawn sacrifice. Further, he was able to create advantage by gaining Adhiban's two Rooks for a Queen. In the end this material proved sufficient for Kunte to score a full point move 52.

The trio of Bangladesh GMs also had a very good round as all three of them won. Al-Rakib defeated GM R.B. Ramesh on board three from the Black side of the two Knight's defense while Ziaur Rahman defeated GM Tejas Bakre on the 4th board and GM Reefat Sattar overcame Mari Arul.

Untitled M.S. Thejkumar, who has a GM norm from the last Commonwealth Chess Championship, continued his giant killing spree to beat GM Safin Shukrat and also continued the trend to ensure that one of the Grandmasters had lost in each of the round from day 2.

The second spot is now shared by Kunte, Al-Rakib, Ziaur Rahman and Tejas Bakre who are all on 7 points.

Following these players are 9 other players who occupying the 3rd position with 6½ points including GM Koneru Humpy.

With three rounds remaining, fierce fighting is expected in this 11 Lakh prize money tournament.

Key Results of Round 8:

Name IRtg FED Pts Res. Pts Name IRtg FED
GM Krasenkow Michal 2624 POL 7½ Beat 6½ GM Koneru Humpy 2603 IND
IM Adhiban B 2421 IND 6 Lost to 7 GM Kunte Abhijit 2547 IND
GM Ramesh R B 2472 IND 6 Lost to 7 GM Abdulla Al-Rakib 2514 BAN
GM Rahman Ziaur 2511 BAN 7 Beat 6 GM Bakre Tejas 2455 IND
GM Safin Shukhrat 2481 UZB 6 Lost to 7 Thejkumar M S 2414 IND
IM Venkatesh M R 2450 IND 6½ Drew 6 GM Gagunashvili Merab 2553 GEO
Murali Krishnan B T 2361 IND 5½ Lost to 6½ GM Macieja Bartlomiej 2599 POL
Swapnil S Dhopade 2354 IND 5½ Lost to 6½ GM Filippov Anton 2509 UZB
GM Iuldachev Saidali 2501 UZB 6 Drew 6 FM Vidit Gujrathi 2337 IND
IM Shetty Rahul 2313 IND 5½ Lost to 6½ IM Laxman R R 2488 IND
Mari Arul S 2238 IND 5½ Lost to 6½ GM Reefat Bin-Sattar 2487 BAN
IM Arun Prasad S 2465 IND 6½ Beat 5½ Prakash Ram 2310 IND
IM Sengupta Deep 2446 IND 6½ Beat 5½ IM Lahiri Atanu 2309 IND
Thakur Akash 2300 IND 5½ Lost to 6½ Das Arghyadip 2393 IND
IM Konguvel P 2373 IND 6 Drew 6 Ram S Krishnan 2299 IND
IM Sriram Jha 2452 IND 5½ Drew 6 FM Akshat Khamparia 2287 IND


GM Shukrat Takes Sole Lead