Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005 Update 4

Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005: "Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005"
At the end Sasikiran decided to draw to with Timman to share the first spot. The game lasted 11 moves. His win against Nakamura was the highlight of the tournament, which forced Nakamura to third spot. Good result for Sasikiran, a loss-less tournament.

Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005 Update 3

Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005: "Sasikiran and Timman share the lead with 6/8 and their game in the final round will decide who wins Sigeman Chess Tournament 2005. All the eyes on Sasikiran after his win over Nakamura. This is a golden chance for 24 year old Sasikiran to shut off his critics and to prove that his win against Anand in 2002 was no fluke."
Also, Nakamura drew with Timman and is out of the race for first place and he will now have to fight Hansen over third place.

Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005 Update 2

Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005: "Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005" Sensational victory for Sasikiran over Nakmura. He is now second with 5 points and looking good to end tournament with first or second. Wow!! nice game Sasikiran. Looks like his last game of the tournament, with Jan Timman is going to be decider.

Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005 Update

Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005: The website says: "Sasikiran nursed a small advantage against Hector and everything looked good. Commentators Peter Heine Nielsen and Brynell gave Hector a 10% chance of drawing, but 5 seconds after they had said that, Sasikiran missed a knight check that cost him his extra pawn. Sasikiran threw away half a point and perhaps also some fighting spirit. That was at least Peter Heine's guess. Hector fought hard and got his reward, he will now be able to land on a decent score if he does well against his Swedish colleagues."

Sasikiran has 4 out of possible 6 points and he is now in third position. I wished better than this. Brighter side, he has not lost any game. He has three matches to go including games against tournament millow GM Persson os Sweden and tournament leader GM Timman of Holland. I hope he will do better than third. Btw with 2642 ELO he is second to GM Nakamura of US (with ELO of 2657) in this tournament.

Anand not thinking about Elista - Indian Express

Anand not thinking about Elista: Indian Express reports "While the FIDE has released the eight biggest names for the forthcoming classical chess championship in Elista to decide on the world champion, Indian Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand is not taking any keen interest yet. Anand, instead, has his sights set on M-Tel Masters Trophy to be held at Sofia, in May "

Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005

Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005: "Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2005"
After round 5, Sasikiran is joint 2nd with 3.5 points.

All the right moves- Esha Karavade

All the right moves- The Times of India: "All the right moves"
Times of India recently has a talk with Esha Karavade, latest chess prodigy from India. She is only eight Indian woman grandmaster (WGM).

Gail Adopts Harikrishna

: "GAIL adopts junior chess champion Harikrishna from NDTV"
Report says: Two months back, world junior chess champion P Harikrishna had told NDTV that he may have to quit playing chess because of lack of funds.

It is really disturbing to see world class player like Harikrishna going through trouble like this. Good for him that he has got a sponsor. Hope many more sponsor will come forward to help Harikrishna, one of my favorite chess player. He is targeting top 10 in the next two years. It is very much achivable. Best wishes Harikrishna, hope to see you soon on top. Thanks GAIL for sponsoring him.

The Hindu News Update Service

The Hindu News Update Service: "Chess: Karavade becomes India's eighth WGM"

The Hindu : Sport / Chess : Abhijeet Gupta becomes IM

The Hindu : Sport / Chess : Abhijeet Gupta becomes IM: "
Abhijeet Gupta becomes IM"

Check-mate Mommy!

Check-mate Mommy!: "Check-mate Mommy!
Six-year-old Vikrant picked up chess in five months, beats his mom and amazes his coach by his skills"

Hari gets back to winning ways- The Times of India

Hari gets back to winning ways- The Times of India: "Hari gets back to winning ways"

Kunte in joint lead after Round 2- The Times of India

Kunte in joint lead after Round 2- The Times of India: "Kunte in joint lead after Round 2"

ChessBase.com - Chess News - Amber 11: Anand wins Rapid and Blindfold

ChessBase.com - Chess News - Amber 11: Anand wins Rapid and Blindfold: "Amber 11: Anand wins Rapid and Blindfold"

Great news, Anand wins both rapid and blindfold. Rapid and blindfold are interesting variant of standard chess. Another variant is kriegspiel. I will try to post more information about it in later posts. Anand played very well in rapid and was full 2 points ahead of fiver more players sharing the second spot.