Kateryna sweeps rapid, increases lead

New Delhi, Dec 23 (UNI) Woman Grandmaster Kateryna Lahno of Ukraine showcased her best talent in the Rapid Game and marched way ahead of an erring Parimarjan Negi after scoring three straight victories in the Amity Grandmasters Challenge here today.

The result left Parimarjan (2.5 points) three points adrift of the Ukranian at the half way stage of this 18-games match.

Kateryna now needs just 3 points out of remaining nine games to win the Re 300,000 winner's purse.

It was the first rapid game that had a big say in the happenings of the day. A series of erroneous moves, along with some good counter attack by the Ukraine girl, saw Kateryna turn an inferior position into a full point after 65 moves.

In the second game, Parimarjan went for a wrong plan early in the game itself leading to a much worse endgame and had to resign after 49 moves.

The ninth game of the match and third of the day also fell Ukrainian way as Kateryna used her positional acumen to come out triumph. The fourth victory by Kateryna was the easiest so far in the match with Parimarjan admitting he was not able to see much. ''I did not do well today, especially in the second and the third game,'' the 13-years old Indian admitted.

UNI DH RN2048