CHENNAI: The dream run of Girish Koushik continued as he defeated Swedish Grandmaster Gandelius Nils in the eighth round of the SDAT-RAMCO 50th World Junior & 29th Junior Girls Chess Championships here on Wednesday.
Girish scoring his fourth successive win against a Grandmaster, now shares the lead with Hovhannisyan Robert (Armenia) at 7.0 points. In the process, Girish Koushik achieved his maiden Grandmaster Norm and will now set his eyes on the crown.
Overnight leader, Italian International Master Rombaldoni lost his first game of the event to Armenian GM Hovhannisyan Robert. The Sicilian game saw the Italian conceding an early space advantage to Hovhannisyan. By move 22 Rombaldoni was a pawn down, with a shaky position to defend. Steady exchange of pieces, saw the Armenian improving the position.
The resultant rook and bishop ending, with two pawns down and one more about to fall, saw Italian throwing in the towel. The game lasted 34 moves. Rombaldoni despite the defeat, achieved a nine game GM Norm. Rombaldoni now shares the third spot at 6.5 points, along with Ter-Sahakyan Samvel (Armenia).
It was the day of Girish Koushik, for the young lad, defeated his fourth Grandmaster in a row accounting Swede Grandelius Nils in 36 moves. An early exchange sacrifice in the Grunfeld game by Grandelius, took the game to unclear territory. With both the players pushing for victory, the Swedish Grandmaster erred at a crucial juncture capturing the pawn on “c3” with his knight, failing to see a mate in six. Girish pounced on the chance, and was about to execute the mate when Grandelius gave up.
In the girls section, WGMs Cori T Deysi (Peru) and Girya Olga (Russia) shared the lead with 7.0 points, scoring over Mammadova Gulnar Marfat Qizi (Azerbaijan) and Kulon Klaudia (Poland) respectively. The third spot is shared by Bulmaga Irina (Romania) and Elena Semenova (Russia) at 6.0 points.
Indian challenge led by WGM Padmini Rout (5.5) looked up, as the Orissa girl scored a quick victory over Dogodkina Julia (Russia). Further down, Woman FIDE Master Bhakti Kulkarni was held to a draw by fellow Indian Chandika Divyasree. Joining the duo at 5.0 points were Indian youngsters Ivana Maria Furtado and P Michelle Catherina.
Round 8 Results (Open) (Indians unless specified):
Hovhannisyan Robert (Arm) 7 bt Rombaldoni Axel (Ita) 6.5, Girish A Koushik (7) bt Grandelius Nils (Swe) 5.5, Matlakov Maxim (Rus) 5 lost Ter-Sahakyan Samvel (Arm) 6.5, Nabaty Tamir (Isr) 5 lost to Durarbeyli Vasif (Aze) 6, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi (5.5) drew with Robson Ray (USA) 5.5, Rasulov Vugar Ural Oglu (Aze) 5 lost Swiercz Dariusz (Pol) 6, Adhiban B (6) bt Piorun Kacper (Pol) 5, Sjugirov Sanan (Rus) 5 drew Kovalev Vladislav (Blr) 5, Gireman Ja (4.5) lost Martinovic Sasa (Cro) 5.5, Pap Gyula (Hun) 5 drew Swayams Mishra (5), Anwesh Upadhyaya (5) drew Krejci Jan (Cze) 5, Salem AR Saleh (UAE) 5 drew Firat Burak (Tur) 5, Nitin S (4.5) lost Shyam Sundar M (5.5), Urkedal Frode (Nor) 5.5 bt Janev Tihomir (Bul) 4.5, Priyadharshan K (4) lost Shimanov Aleksandr (Rus) 5, Kunal M (5) bt Goganov Aleksey (Rus) 4,S L Narayanan (5) bt G A Stany (4)
Round 8 Results (Girls) (Indians unless specified):
Mammadova Gulnar Marfat Qizi (Aze) 5.5 lost Cori T Deysi (Per) 7, Girya Olga (Rus ) 7 bt Kulon Klaudia (Pol) 5.5, Paikidze Nazi (Geo) 6 drew Bulmaga Irina (Rom) 6.5, Padmini Rout (5.5) bt Dogodkina Julia (Rus) 5, Kulkarni Bhakti (5) drew Chandika Divyasree (5), Saranya J (4.5) lost to Kazimova Narmin Nizami Qizi (Aze) 5.5, Ozturk Kubra (Tur) 5.5 bt Romero Echeverria Abigail (Ecu) 4.5, Nandhidhaa P V (4.5) lost Lkhamsuren Uuganbayar (Mgl) 5.5, Nakhbayeva Guliskhan (Kaz) 4.5 drew Pon N Krithika (4.5), Bharathi R (4) lost Hoang Thi Nhu Y (Vie) 5, Terao Juliana Sayumi (Bra) 5 bt Hema Priya N (4).