Negi, four others in joint lead in Asian junior championship

Mumbai, Dec 19 (UNI) Top seed GM Parimarjan Negi along with Ashwin Jayaram, Vishnu Prasanna, Shyam Sunder and P Karthikeyan were in joint lead with 5.5 points in the boys section after seven rounds in the Asian Junior Chess Championship being held at the Goregaon Sports Club, here today.

However, in the girls section, WIM Mary Ann Gomes is the sole leader clear by a point of her closest rivals.

In the boys section, GM Parimarjan Negi started with e4 while playing with white pieces against Vishnu Prasanna. Vishnu replied with Sicilian Classical variation. Parimarjan was having a slight advantage in the opening. But since Vishnu was having a solid defensive position, Parimarjan agreed for a draw after the 34th move.

On the second board, P Karthikeyan playing with black pieces against Ashwin Jayaram started the game with Sicilian Najdorf variation. In the middle game Karthikeyan won a pawn and got a good position on the board. Karthikeyan missed a chance to force a mate in three moves due to the time trouble. Afterwards Ashwin strengthened his position to draw the game.

On the third board, M Shyam Sunder brilliantly checkmated Deep Sengupta to join the leaders of yesterday with 5.5 points.

In girls section WIM Kiran Manisha Mohanty held a draw with WIM Mary Ann Gomes. Mary is already nearing her title with a point lead on Padmini, who on second board won a tough game against Sivasankari P.

UNI