Utut shares lead in chess meet

Utut shares lead in chess meet

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grandmaster Utut Adianto shared the
lead with two Russians in the Grandmasters chess tournament in
Calicut, India, Sunday.

Utut, GM Yurtaev and GM Komliakov all scored 2.5 points.

In a game Sunday lasting five hours, Utut defeated
International Master Devaki Prasad of India in the 52nd move of
the Queen Indian opening.

Yutaev won over IM Murugan of India while Komliakov drew with
IM Sashikiran, also of India.

Utut said he rejected Prasad's call for a draw in the 35th
move.

"I was in the midst of victory as I pressed Prasad to a
checkmate. Prasad couldn't avoid the pressure and laid down his
King," Utut said.

On Saturday, Utut beat GM Thipsay of India in the 33rd move of
the Sicilian Dragon defense and drew with Sashikiran, on Friday.

Today, Utut faces IM Abhijit Kunte, another Indian, and plays
the black piece. Abhijit is India's champion and also the Asian
junior champion.

The Indian meet is held to commemorate the country's 50th
golden anniversary and continues until March 17. Five GMs and
seven IMs are competing in the tournament.

Results: Kunte vs GM Barua 1.5-1.5, Adianto-Prasad 1-0, MI
Ziaur Rachman vs Thipsay 1-0, Komliakov vs Sashikiran 1.5-1.5, MI
Lanka Ravi vs MI Konguvel 1.5-1.5, Yurtaev vs Murugan 1-0.

Standings: Utut, Yurtaev, Komliakov 2.5 points, Rachman,
Sashikiran, Kunte 2, Barua 1.5, Prasad, Lavi 1, Konguvel, Murugan
0.5, Thipsay 0. (lnt)