Tata Steel Masters: Adhiban punishes Karjakin, Hari loses

P. Hari Krishna, sharing the fourth spot with Sergey Karjakin at the elite Tata Steel Masters chess tournament, has so far looked part of the league headed by World No. 1 and world champion Magnus Carlsen.

B. Adhiban scored the biggest victory of his career.

Debutant B. Adhiban finally made his presence felt in the elite Tata Steel Masters chess tournament by punishing Sergey Karjakin in just 31 moves for his overambitious plans in the fifth round here on Thursday.

Karjakin, who lost the World championship title match to Magnus Carlsen late last year, underestimated the young India’s prowess in this French Defence game.

A pawn-push towards Adhiban’s castled king on the 19th move decisively started the downfall of Karjakin. Adhiban found the precise continuation, helped by one more error of judgement from the Russian on the 22nd move.

Adhiban, the least rated player in this field of 14, tightened the noose when Karjakin invited the loss of rook for a bishop in an already-crumbling position.

After Adhiban scored the biggest victory of his career, teammate P. Hari Krishna lost to Wesley So in 48 moves. So tops the field with four points after Levon Aronian defeated overnight leader Pavel Eljanov.

Fifth round pairings: Wesley So (USA, 3) v P. Hari Krishna (2.5); Sergey Karjakin (Rus, 2.5) v B. Adhiban (1); Pavel Eljanov (Ukr, 3.5) v Levon Aronian (Arm, 2); Dmitry Andreikin (Rus, 2) v Richard Rapport (Hun, 1); Wei Yi (Chn, 2) v Anish Giri (Ned, 2); Ian Nepomniachtchi (Rus, 1.5) v Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 3); Radoslaw Wojtaszek (Pol, 1.5) v Leok van Wely (Ned, 0.5).