Kolkata Open: Srinath downs Sengupta to claim sole lead

N. Srinath got the better of Deep Sengupta to become the sole leader at the end of the penultimate round of the Kolkata International Chess Open on Monday.

Young FIDE Master Erigaisi Arjun created the biggest upset of the day downing GM M. R. Lalith Babu to join the small group chasing the leader. (Representative Image)

Grandmaster N. Srinath downed compatriot and top board opponent GM Deep Sengupta in just 10 moves to become the sole leader at the end of the penultimate round in LIC Kolkata Open International Chess here on Monday. The win became easy for Srinath as Sengupta arrived 90 seconds later at the board and blundered a piece. This secured the win for Srinath, who headed into the final round as the sole leader collecting seven points.

Previous round report: Sengupta, Srinath join Short in three-way lead

Top seeded GM Nigel Short of England and GM Sandipan Chanda agreed to a draw in 34 moves. All attempts by Chanda to attack and gain advantage failed as the former World Champion challenger and current candidate for FIDE Presidency, Short, thwarted his ploys.

GM Deepan Chakkravarthy defeated GM Adam Tukhaev of Ukraine in just 33 moves to join the group of four players occupying the second spot with 6.5 points. Young FIDE Master Erigaisi Arjun created the biggest upset of the day downing GM M. R. Lalith Babu to join the small group chasing the leader.