GM Shukrat Takes Sole Lead
By Praful Zaveri

A clear leader was spotted at the end of round 6 of the LIC – Mumbai Mayor's Sponsored International Chess Tournament in progress here at the Goregaon Sports Club as GM Safin Shukrat of Uzbekistan notched up his 6th consecutive win by defeating the Bangladesh GM Al-Rakib. Playing Black, Al-Rakib adopted the Old Benoni Defense set-up against the d4 opening of Shukrat. Both the players opted to keep their King in the centre by launching an attack. In a closed position Shukrat had the better space advantage and a good pawn center. To gain equality Al-Rakib tried to open the lines but a series of exchange left him with a pawn down on move 30. Shukrat consolidated this advantage further by winning an exchange, which forced Al-Rakib to resign on move 35.

The trend of either of Grandmaster losing in each of the rounds right from the second day continued as IM M.R. Venkatesh of India created sensation by defeating 2nd seeded Macieja of Poland. In a game arising from the Caro-Kann defense – advance variation, the young Indian IM showed his excellent attacking prowess against the experienced Polish GM, who had played in the World Chess Championship. With a piece sacrifice on move 19, Venkatesh gained compensation by creating a passed pawn on h7. Macieja tried to maintain his extra minor piece but in the process lost 5 extra pawns. He tried all his experience but ultimately had to surrender after long struggle in 75 moves.

Meanwhile top-seeded Michael Kransenkow and Humpy put and end to the giant killing spree of their respective rivals, M.S. Thejkumar and B.T. Muralikrishna, who have earlier scalped GM Ziaur Rahman and GM Merab respectively.

With this win GM Michael Kransenkow of Poland and 2nd Seeded GM Koneru Humpy, GM Reefat Sattar, GM Abhijit Kunte and M.R. Venkatesh are now occupying the 2nd spot behind GM Safin with a score of 5½.

A big group of 20 players are trailing these 5 players with a score of 5 points.

Kransekow Maintains Lead