Adhiban emerges as sole leader

Panaji, Sep 21 (UNI) Tamil Nadu's B Adhiban (ELO 2422) emerged as the sole leader after a comprehensive victory over statemate FIDE Master P Shyam Nikhil (ELO 2364) in the ninth round of the Mongibnis 46th National ''B'' Chess Championship, being played at Damodar Sausthan Zambaulin in South Goa.

The Young International Master, who has been a part of the gold medal winning Indian team in the U-16 World Olympiad was better right from the opening itself. After 25 moves of the Sicilian Defence, Adhiban had three connected queen side passed pawns.

Although his opponent tried to prolong the issue, the spearhead wrapped up the game after 52 moves.

On the second board, International Master Sriram Jha (ELO 2429) of LIC could do no better than draw with B T Murali Krishna (ELO 2417) of Railways. International Master elect Muralikrishna, who suffered an upset in the first round itself, has came back strongly to put himself in a good position to qualify for the National ''A'' later this year.

Top seed and Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi (ELO 2529) of Air India outlasted International Master Suvrajit Saha (ELO 2367) of Railways in a 71 moves marathon arising from a scandinavian Opening. Negi, who is in joint second place with International Master Sriram Jha and Akshayraj Kore (ELO 2392) will battle it out with the leader Adhiban in the crucial 10th round and the results in all likelihood will determine the winner of the tournament.

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