Mumbai Mayors Cup International Open Chess Tournament , 2008

Report Day 6

Goregaon Sports Club

GM Michael Kransenkow Takes Lead

In the much awaited clash between the top two seeded players of the LIC – Mumbai Mayor’s International Chess Tournament, GM Michael Kransenkow & Koneru Humpy, the Polish GM proved his superiority by overcoming Humpy with a scintillating display of high quality Chess to take the sole lead with a score of 7½ at the end of round 8 in progress here at the Goregaon Sports Club.

Kransenkow, who struggled in the earlier rounds, finally adjusted well to the Mumbai conditions and showed his skills for which he is famous. In the Nimzo Indian game development was even from both the sides however; in the middle game Humpy, playing black, came up with a very good sacrifice of two minor pieces to gain Kransenkow’s Rook. In the ensuing ending after the exchange queens, Humpy had one Rook and three pawns against two Bishops and two pawns of Kransenkow and it appeared that Black had better chances. However; an inaccuracy by Humpy allowed Kransenkow to activate his Bishop and create a dangerous passer on the ‘h’ file. Humpy resigned on move 47 when faced with imminent mate.

To the delight of good number of spectators who had gathered today, this round also produced decisive result on the top five boards. On the 2nd table young Adhiban was pitted against experience GM Abhijit Kunte. In the Sicilian Defense game Adhiban launched an all out kingside attack against Black’s King however; Kunte was equal to the task and ensured a safe shelter of his King with a nice pawn sacrifice. Further, he was able to create advantage by gaining Adhiban’s two Rooks for a Queen. In the end this material proved sufficient for Kunte to score a full point move 52.

The trio of Bangladesh GMs also had a very good round as all three of them won. Al-Rakib defeated GM R.B. Ramesh on board three from the Black side of the two Knight’s defense while Ziaur Rahman defeated GM Tejas Bakre on the 4th board and GM Reefat Sattar overcame Mari Arul.

Untitled M.S. Thejkumar, who has a GM norm from the last Commonwealth Chess Championship, continued his giant killing spree to beat GM Safin Shukrat and also continued the trend to ensure that one of the Grandmasters had lost in each of the round from day 2.

The second spot is now shared by Kunte, Al-Rakib, Ziaur Rahman and Tejas Bakre who are all on 7 points.

Following these players are 9 other players who occupying the 3rd position with 6½ points including GM Koneru Humpy.

With three rounds remaining, fierce fighting is expected in this 11 Lakh prize money tournament.