Thrilling finish on the cards
Mumbai, November 12: A tense and exciting final round is on cards as second-seeded FM Sajandas Joshi (ELO 212) who currently occupies pole position with 7 points will be challenged by top-seeded Atul Dahale (ELO 2129) who is half a point behind as the SBI Life Chess Festival of Russia FIDE Rating Chess Tournament comes to a conclusion at Cultural Centre of Russia on Monday. The crucial encounter between the top two seed while decide the championship.
In the penultimate round encounter, the game on top board between FM Joshi and Amardeep Bartakke ended in a draw after just 27 moves. Bartakke was in a better position, but not prepared to go for the kill he chose to play safe as he was keen to stay in contention for a podium finish as he is in joint second spot with 6.5 points.
Meanwhile, on board 2, top-seeded Atul Dahale climbed his way to the top by halting 7th seeded Ketan Patil from the black side of Modern Defence. In a game of fluctuating fortunes, Ketan was better for most part of the game however, he faltered at the crucial stage on move 30, which allowed Dahale to score a victory quickly thereafter.
Gopal Rathod joined Atul Dahale and Amardeep Bartakke in second place by making a short work of the challenge poised by Ajit Kalselkar from the white side of Caro-Kann defense. Mumbai university player, Sanjeev Mishra continued his good run by drawing his game with 6th seeded Tejas joshi. Both these players are now on 6/8 and occupy the 3rd spot jointly with Hriday Bhuta, Aniruddha Potawad and Rishi Kadam.
Key Results of Round 8: Bartakke Amardeep S (6.5) drew FM S.G. Joshi (7); Patil Ketan (5.5) lost to Atul Dahale (6.5); Gopal Rathod (6.5) beat Kalsekar Ajit (5.5); Joshi Tejas (6) drew Sanjeev Mishra (6); Arorak Saksham (5.5) drew Joglekar Abhijit (5.5); Bhuta Hriday (6) beat Kamble Prasheek (5); Punia Yuvraj (5.5) drew Gengaje Pratik (5.5); Raul Devika (5) lost to Potawad Aniruddha (6); Kadam Rishi (6) beat Chinnam Kartik (5).