B. Adhiban let Shakhriyar Mamedyarov off the hook and the World No. 3 from Azerbaijan rallied to win in 86 moves in the sixth round to lead the Masters section of Tata Steel chess tournament here on Friday.
As anticipated, Viswanathan Anand played it safe in a 20-move miniature draw with fellow leader Anish Giri to reach four points. Mamedyarov, starting at defeat after 44 moves, capitalized on a blunder by Adhiban and slowly improved his position as the Indian came under time-pressure. Eventually, Mamedyarov proved his superiority and emerged as the leader at 4.5 points.
Wesley So joined the Anand and Giri in the second spot after beating China’s Wei Yi. In the Challengers’ section, Vidit Gujrathi drew with Benjamin Bok in 31 moves to stay in the second spot with 4.5 points. Ukrainian leader Anton Korobov enlarged his advantage to one point after beating Norway’s Aryan Tari.
D. Harika held a pawn-down position smartly and eventually drew in 96 moves with higher-rated Russian Dmitry Gordievsky.
Sixth-round results (Indians unless stated):
Masters: Anish Giri (Ned, 4) drew with Viswanathan Anand (4); B.Adhiban (1) lost to Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Aze, 4.5); Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 3.5) drew with Gawain Jones (Eng, 3); Peter Svidler (Rus, 3) drew with Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 3.5); Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2) drew with Maxim Matlakov (Rus, 3); Wei Yi (Chn, 2.5) lost to Wesley So (USA, 4); Hou Yifan (Chn, 1) drew with Sergey Karjakin (Rus, 3).
Challengers: Benjamin Bok (Ned, 2.5) drew with Vidit Gujrathi (4.5); Dmitry Gordievsky (Rus, 3) drew with D. Harika (2.5); Anton Korobov (Ukr. 5.5) bt Aryan Tari (Nor, 2.5); Lucas van Foreest (Ned. 3.5) drew with Erwin L’Ami (Ned, 3); Matthias Bluebaum (Ger, 2.5) drew with Bassem Amin (Egy, 2.5); Jeffery Xiong (USA, 2.5) drew with Michal Krasenkow (Pol, 2.5); Olga Girya (Rus, 2.5) drew with Jordeen van Foreest (Ned, 2.5).
