Sharma holds Harikrishna in Gibraltar Chess opener

Playing the white side of an English opening, Sharma gave little away to Harikrishna and the resulting middle game was equal after exchange of queens.

Harikrishna got a minuscule advantage optically but frequent exchanges led to a level rook and opposite coloured Bishops endgame.

Making a mockery of rating and seedings, International Master Hemant Sharma (rated 2348) held fifth-seed P. Hari Krishna (2745) in 88 moves and another Delhi-player 13-year-old Prithu Gupta
(2373) proved equal to sixth seeded Vietnamese Le Quang Liem (2737) in 51 moves in the opening round of the Tradewise Gibraltar Masters chess tournament at the Caleta Hotel here on Tuesday.

The 10-round event, which offers the winner GBP 25,000, has attracted participation from 50 countries. In all, 276 players, consisting of 208 titled players, including 92 Grandmasters and 58 International Masters, are part of the field. Hari Krishna heads the Indian contingent comprising 28 players.

In two other interesting results, involving Indians, Raunak Sadhwani (2321) held U.S.’s Varuzhan Akobian (2647) and Nisha Mohota (2269) split the point with G. N. Gopal (2593).

On a day when top seed Levon Aronian (2797) drew with Hungarian IM Anita Gara (2350) in 42 moves, Nigel Short, Emil Sutovksy and Eduardo Iturrizaga Bonelli also settled for draws. Ivan Cheparinov, seeded
13th, was the highest ranked player to lose.

From the Indian perspective, the progress of prodigies R. Praggnanandhaa and Nihal Sarin will be watched with added interest. Praggnanandhaa is aiming for his second GM as he seeks to become the
world’s youngest Grandmaster before March 8.