SANGLI, MAY 21: Ninth seeded Rahul Shetty (nine points) of Indian Airlines, Mumbai won the 30th Vaidya Memorial International Rating Chess Tournament which concluded at Sangli today.

In the eleventh and the last round, Rahul was held to a draw by former National junior champion GB Prakash (8.5 points) of Indian Bank, Chennai.The Bharat Petroleum chess team, consisting of National women champion Anupama Gokhale, V Sarvanam, Jayant Gokhale and Dilip Pagey, lifted the team title ahead of Union Bank of India.

On the top board, SD Prakash (8.5) played the quiet variation of French Defence with the black pieces, but suddenly offerred a piece sacrifice on the 13th move. Shetty was caught unaware but kept his cool to enter an equal ending. However weak play in his time shortage costed Rahul Shetty a couple of pawns. But precise play, aided by some luck, helped him salvage. A draw in 44 moves Rahul became richer by Rs 30,000.

Top-seeded P Konguvel (8.5) wasted a golden opportunity by missing good continuation against International Master N Sudhakar Babu (8.5) of Indian Bank in King's Indian Defence. Thereafter, Babu equalised the position and soon agreed to a draw in 33 moves.

Former Asian sub-junior silver-medalist TS Ravi (8.5) of Indian Oil was lucky to escape with a draw against seasoned Sajandas Joshi (8) in 22 moves of Queen's Indian defence. Joshi had a clear advantage but had just ten minutes left when the peace was signed.

Former National under-25 champion Anup Deshmukh (8) of LIC scored a quick win over International Master V Kashy (7.5) in just 23 moves. Bengal teenager Roktim Bandopadhyay (8.5) recorded an easy win over SK Sinha (7.5) of Bihar in 43 moves.

IMPORTANT RESULTS

(11th round): Rahul Shetty (9) drew with GB Prakash (8.5); NS Babu (8.5) drew with P Konguvel (8.5); SG Joshi (8) drew with TS Ravi (8.5); Jayant Gokhale (8) drew with V Sarvanan (8); SK Sinha (7.5) lost to R Bandopadhyay (8.5); Anup Deshmukh (8) beat V Koshy (7.5); HO Sharma (7) lost to AB Vaidya (8); Moti Ram (7.5) drew with RK Mishra (7.5); Yogesh Gore (8) beat Vivek Shukla (7); PDS Girinath (7) lost to N Sanjay (8); K Panditrao (8) beat V Goswamy (7); S Nasir Ali (7.5) drew with N Das (7.5); S Kidambi (8) beat N Neelakantan (7)

FINAL RANKINGS

1. Rahul Shetty (Indian Airlines) 9 points; 2. TS Ravi (Indian Oil) 8.5; 3. NS Babu (Indian Bank) 8.5; 4. R Bandopadhyay (West Bengal) 8.5; 5. P Konguvel (ONGC) 8.5; 6. GB Prakash (Indian Bank) 8.5; 7. Jayant Gokhale (BPCL) 8; 8. V Sarvanan (BPCL) 8; 9. S Kidambi (TN) 8; 10. K Panditrao (Central Excise) 8.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.