Sengupta shocks Bologan in Gibraltar chess tourney

Gibraltar, Jan 27 (PTI) Grandmaster Deep Sengupta shockedfifth seed Viktor Bologan of Moldova in the second round ofTradewise Gibraltar chess tournament now in progress here.

In sublime form for some time now, Sengupta had recentlywon the Hastings International tournament and the victory overBologan is one of the career best for the young GM.

The day''s thunder however was stolen by 80-year-oldGrandmaster Viktor Korchnoi who defeated third seed and worldnumber 26 Fabiano Caruana of Italy � more than 60 years hisjunior.

It turned out to be a generally good day for the Indiansas GMs Sandipan Chanda and G N Gopal also emerged as theco-leaders in this strong tournament that has a little over Rs90 lakh in prizes. Chanda accounted for America''s AnnaZatonskih while Gopal had it easy against Anthony Bellaiche ofFrance.

After an unexpected first round draw against JustinSarkar of United States, former world junior champion PHarikrishna also came back to the winning ways againstcompatriot GM norm holder Vaibhav Suri.

Krishnan Sasikiran, who started the tournament with ahalf point bye from the opener began his catching-up act atthe expense of Ruiz Monica Calzetta of Spain while double GMnorm holder D Harika also scored her first win defeating VeaOdin Blikra of Norway.

Eesha Karavade also did well to hold GM GiorgiKacheishvili to a creditable draw but Arghyadip Das found hisnemesis in Vasilios Kotronias of Greece.

At the top of the tables, top seed Vassily Ivanchuk hadlittle troubles in cruising past Pable Lafuente of Argentinabut second seed and defending champion Michael Adams ofEngland was forced to split the point by Nana Dzagnidze ofGeorgia.

Deep Sengupta was the pick amongst the Indians with hisclinical performance against Bologan. The Indian stuck to hisfirst love French defense and found Bologan''s treatmentinadequate in the opening.

Sengupta seized the initiative with a timely breakthroughon the kingside and as Bologan went on the other flank lookingfor the counter play the Indian caused further damage withsome wily manoeuvres. The game lasted 35 moves.

Chanda faced the Queen''s gambit declined against AnnaZatonskih and outplayed her in the heavy pieces endgame to winin 41 moves while Harikrishna had to work hard to outwityoungster Vaibhav Suri. (More) PTI Corr SHN