Murali emerges sole leader in chess tourney
Press Trust of India Thiruvarur (Tamil Nadu) Sixteen-year-old Karthikeyan Murali of Tamil Nadu emerged sole leader with 8.5 points after beating Swapnil Dhopade of Railways in the 12th and penultimate round of the ONGC 53rd National Premier Chess Championship here today.
An intense fight is on the cards tomorrow, as the trio of Karthikeyan Murali, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi and defending champion SP Sethuraman of PSPB have theoretical chances to win the title.
Vidit could only earn a draw today to reach 8 points and Sethuraman came back into reckoning by collecting 7.5 points. Karthikeyan Murali has an edge over the other two as he needs only a draw to clinch the title.
In the advanced variation against the Caro Kann defence by Swapnil Dhopade of Railways, the former under 16 world champion played a steady middle game to get advantage slowly.
