Konguvel rallies to hold Pavlovic

Konguvel rallies to hold Pavlovic
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Biel, July 31: International master P Konguvel rallied from a difficult position to hold Grandmaster Milos Pavlovic to a fighting draw to move to 4 points and lead the pack among Indians at the end of the sixth round of the Biel Open chess championship being held here.

On the fifth board on Sunday, IM RB Ramesh faced a rare set up against the Semi-Slav defence from GM Huzman. Though Ramesh earned equality in the opening, Huzman exploited the Indian's few weak moves in the middlegame to sacrifice a knight for three pawns and a terrific attack.

Huzman went on to checkmate Ramesh's king in 39 moves.

Konguvel showed excellent determination and fighting spirit against Pavlovic. Facing `93' Kings-Indian variation, Konguvel misplayed the opening to land in difficulties. He sacrificed his queen spectacularly for just a rook and won another piece a few moves later.

Still he was not out of the woods. He found a fortress with his rook and knight to draw the game.

IM Sarvanan played the Closed Sicilian variation with white pieces against GM Cvitan. Cvitan equalised in the opening and the players signed the peace treaty on the 17th move.

S Kidambi faced the Exchange variation of the Slav defence against Buss Ralph. The position was completely equal when Kidambi slowly improved his position on the queenside and entered the 7th mark with his rook.

Ralph tried to complicate things by sacrificing his queen and two minor pieces. But Kidambi calmly consolidated his position to win in 33 moves to move to 3.5 points.

TS Ravi played the Sicilian Alapin variation against Markus Rufener. Ravi got a slight edge from the opening but his opponent put up a good defence in the endgame to draw the game in sudden death time control.

Overnight leaders GM Burmakin and GM Sturva agreed for a quick draw to maintain their position on the top of the standings with 5 points. Sunday was a rest day.

Other Results: GM Sturva (5) drew with GM Burmakin (5), GM Rashkovsky (4.5) drew with GM Boris Avrukh (4.5), GM Klovans (4.5) drew with GM Galkin Alexander (4.5), GM Shariyazdana (4.5) drew with GM Tukmakov (4.5), GM Huzman (4.5) beat IM RB Ramesh (3.5), IM Sarvanan (3.5) drew with GM Cvitan (3.5), GM Pavlovic (4) drew with IM P Konguvel (4), Buss Ralph (2.5) lost to S Kidambi (3.5), TS Ravi (3) drew with Markus Rufener (3).