Despite his best efforts, Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran had to settle for a draw with Russian GM Vladimir Malakhov in the fourth round of Bosna 2006 International Grandmasters Chess tournament in Sarajevo.
In other games, top seeded GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu of Romania signed a quick peace with Borki Predojevic of Bosnia and Herzegovina while Norwegian boy wonder Magnus Carlsen failed to break the solid defence of Dortmund champion Arkadij Naiditsch of Germany to settle for a draw.
Malakhov, Predojevic and Nisipeanu continued atop the table with 2.5 points out of a possible 4. Carlsen remained fourth with 2 while Naiditsch is next in line on 1.5 points.
With his second draw after two initial losses, Sasikiran is at the bottom with 1 point with six rounds to go.
Sasikiran, with his white pieces, faced the Slav defense by Malakhov and the players reached a position akin to the Queen's gambit declined.
Fortunes fluctuated in this keenly contested game as early in the middle game Sasikiran could boast of a slight advantage and launched a king side attack after which Malakhov had to go on the defence.
Under pressure, the Russian came up with a queen sacrifice for a rook and Bishop to ease the tension a bit and thereafter, Sasikiran was seen pressing for a victory.
However, Malakhov always had a defensive resource up his sleeve and when Sasikiran tried too hard, Malakhov struck back and got three pawns, a Rook and Bishop against Sasikiran's lone Queen.
Thereon, Malakhov was on top and Sasikiran was pushed to the wall but he managed to split the point. The longest game of the event thus far lasted 118 moves.
Carlsen misplayed a promising position as white against Naiditsch. It was an English opening where Carlsen got a tangible advantage despite trading the queens early in the middle game.
Getting his rooks into action while Naiditsch struggled to get his pieces out, Carlsen was well on top but Naiditsch hung in there making the best defensive moves available.
The Norwegian finally erred and allowed enough counterplay to Naiditsch who transposed to a level rook and pawns endgame. The draw was agreed to after 46 moves.
Nisipeanu got little against Predojevic who played the black side of an open Ruy Lopez. Playing the middle game accurately, Predojevic got the desired central breakthrough in a typical fashion and had enough active pieces on board to force parity. Nisipeanu agreed to sign peace in just 21 moves.
Results round 4:
Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (Rom, 2.5) drew with Borki Predojevic (Bih, 2.5); Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 2) drew with Arkadij Naiditsch (Ger, 1.5); Krishnan Sasikiran (Ind, 1) drew with Vladimir Malakhov (Rus, 2.5).
Standings after round 4: 1-3. Malakhov, Predojevic, Nisipeanu 2.5 each; 4. Carlsen 2; 5. Naiditsch 1.5; 6. Sasikiran 1;
Pairings round 5: Naiditsch v/s Sasikiran; Predojevic v/s Carlsen; Malakhov v/s Nisipeanu.
