Vidit Gujrathi draws sixth round game, stays top in Prague Chess

The 25-year old Vidit Gujrathi opted for a London opening in his game against the Nikita Vitiugov and settled for a draw after 39 moves late on Tuesday.

Vidit Gujrathi (left) maintained a one-point lead after settling for a draw against Nikita Vitiugov of Russia in the sixth round. (File Photo)

Indian Grand Master Vidit Gujrathi maintained a one-point lead after settling for a draw against Nikita Vitiugov of Russia in the sixth round of the Prague Chess Festival’s Masters category.

He has 4.5 points and is ahead of Vitiugov and top seed Jan-Krzysztof Duda of Poland, both on 3.5 points.

The 25-year old Indian no.2 opted for a London opening in his game against the Russian GM and had to sign the peace treaty in 39 moves late on Tuesday.

Gujrathi’s compatriot Pentala Harikrishna had also had to remain content with a draw, his fifth draw in six games, against lower-rated Spanish GM David Anton Guijarro.

Harikrishna, who chose a Catalan opening against Guijjaro, shared the point in 30 moves. The India no. 3 now has 2.5 points after the conclusion of six rounds.

Gujrathi and Harikrishna will meet in an interesting clash in the seventh round later on Wednesday.

All the five games in the sixth round ended in draws with American Sam Shankland and Markus Ragger (Austria) being involved in a 76-move marathon.