Lakshmi pockets WIM norm

Second seed GM Ivan Rozum (Russia), 8.0 points, moved closer to title, defeating local hope Grandmaster R R Laxman (ICF) in a hard fought top board game. The win gives Rozum a cushion of one point, with just a round to go. Following the leader at 7.0 points are GMs Gareyev Timur (USA), Laxman R R (India), Dzhumaev Marat (Uzbekistan), IMs Visakh N R, Sidhant Mohapatra (both India), Llaneza Vega Marcos (Spain), FMs Karthik Venkataraman and Erigaisi Arjun (India) respectively. 

Three upcoming Indian stars achieved their International Master and Woman International Master norms. Chennai girl C Lakshmi, a class IX student of Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk, who has represented India in the international arena for the last several years, got her maiden 9 game Woman International Master Norm holding experienced G B Joshi (Air India) to a draw. 

Top-board results (Round 9) (Indians unless specified): Rozum Ivan (Rus) 8 bt Laxman R.R. (7), Visakh N R (7) drew with Dzhumaev Marat (Uzb) 7, Erigaisi Arjun (7) drew with Yuri Solodovnichenko (Ukr) 6.5, Tukhaev Adam (Ukr) 6.5 drew with Nitin S (6.5), Sivuk Vitaly (Ukr) 6.5 drew with Deepan Chakkravarthy J (6.5), Sidhant Mohapatra (7) bt Tran Tuan Minh (Vie) 6, Atalik Suat (Tur) 6.5 drew with RK Srihari (6.5), RS Chowdhury (6.5) drew with Pruijssers Roeland (Ned) 6.5, Muthaiah AL (6) lost to Karthik Venkataraman (7), Pranav V (5.5) lost to Karthikeyan P (6.5).