World Jr Chess: Narayanan holds super GM Kampen to a draw

Lesser-known Indian players continued to impress, while the fancied struggled to score, even as overseas Grandmasters took charge in the third round of the World Junior Chess Championships, being played at Hotel Hyatt, in Pune, on Wednesday.

S L Narayanan was one of the early finishers, holding second seed and super GM Robin Van Kampen (2641) to a draw, while 10-year-old Nihal Sarin’s impressive display again won him many admirers after he held Balazs CSonka (2409) to a draw to remain unbeaten after three encounters against opponents rated higher than 2400.

In an all-Indian tussle, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, India’s main contender for the title, had to settle for a draw against Sahaj Grover.

In another all-Indian match in the girls’ section, strong contender Padmini Rout was held to a draw by 15-year-old Goan chess prodigy Maria Ivana Furtado, World Youth Chess Champion in the under-8 category in 2006 and 2007.

At the time of going to press, Wei Yi and Lu Shanglei of China , Jorge Cori Of Peru , Vladislav Kovalev of Belarus, and Pouya Idani of Iran had emerged joint leaders with three points.

Ankit Rajpara was trying to press for a win with an extra pawn against Arat Ufuk and could be the only Indian amongst the leaders in case he wins the game.

The tournament sponsored by LIC, Government of Maharashtra and co sponsored by Amanora, ONGC, Jain Irrigation and Everstone once again has showcased that Indians’ playing strength is higher than what their rating indicates.

Vidit opted for the Sicilian defence against Sahej, who made his aggressive intentions clear from the start by rolling down his King-side pawns and later castling on the Queen-side.

By the 24th turn, Vidit appeared better-placed with an extra pawn and good placement of pieces. On the 28th, there was a possibility for Vidit improving on his position by continuing to attack but he chose to exchange queens and Sahej was back in the game with drawing possibilities.

The players signed the draw on the 39th turn when most pieces had been exchanged and each had a bishop and four pawns .

Narayanan, playing with the Whites pieces, appeared to adopt a pre-determined strategy of exchanging pieces at the slightest opportunity and forced Van Kampen to split the point after 31 moves.

The Maria versus Padmini game was a rather sedate and solid affair which fizzled into a draw after 33 moves.

Important results in Open section (Indian unless specified): Wei Yi (Chn)-3 bt  Diptayan Ghosh-2 ; Sahaj Grover – 2.5 drew  Vidit Santosh Gujrathi-2.5  ; Jorge Cori(Per) -3 bt Quinten Ducarmon (Ned)-2 ; Vladislav Kovalev (Blr)-3 bt Toms Kantans (Lat)-2 ; Lu Shanglei(Chn)-3 bt  Shardul Gagare -2; Mikhail Antipov (Rus)-2.5 drew Gabriel Gaehwiler (Sui)-2.5; Sayantan Das- 2 lost to Pouya Idani (Iri)-3;  Ankit Rajpara  Arat Ufuk Sezen (Tur); S L Narayanan -2.5  drew Robin Van Kampen-2 ; Vladimir Fedoseev (Rus)- 2.5 bt Sidhant Mohopatra-1.5 ; Prince Bajaj-2 drew  Grigory Oparin (Rus)-2; Harsha Bharathikorti-2 drew  Ulvi Bjarani (Aze)-2.

Girls’: Mona Khaled(Egy) Meri Arabidze (Geo); Nandidhaa Pv  Daria Pustovoitova (Rus); Maria Ivana Furtado 2.5- drew Padmini Rout-2.5; Pratyusha Bodda -2.5 drew  Nguyen Thi Mai Hubg (Vie)-2.5; Aysa Imeeva (Rus)-2.5 drew Irina Petrukhina (Rus)-2.5;  Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus)-2.5 bt  Cyrielle Monpeurt (Fra)-1.5  Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Iri)-2.5 bt Rucha Pujari -1.5 ; Mo Zhai (Chn)-2.5 bt  M Mahalakshmi -1.5.