Chess Tournament: Bogdanovich sole leader, Venkatesh in second spot

Chennai-based Grandmaster MR Venkatesh (6.5) stood right behind the leader, sharing the second spot with GMs Ponkratov Pavel (Russia), Martinez Alcantara Jose Eduardo (Peru), Yudin Sergei (Russia), Aleksandrov Aleksej (Belarus), Rozum Ivan (Russia), Jubin Jimmy, Stupak Kirill (Belarus) and Goganov Aleksey (Russia). 

The race for International Master Norms picked up as Indians GB Harshavardhan and Jubin improved their chances with just two rounds remaining. Harshavardhan held Indonesian IM Taher to a draw, while Jubin defeated Grandmaster Vasquez Schroeder Rodrigo of Chile in a marathon game.

The following four players – V Pranav, S Rohit Krishna, Harshavardhan and Jubin – require a draw in the ninth and penultimate round to achieve their IM Norm. 

Important results: Round 8 (Indians unless specified): Yudin Sergei (Rus) 6.5 drew with Ponkratov Pavel (Rus) 6.5; Martinez Alcantara Jose Eduardo (Per) 6.5 drew with Goganov Aleksey (Rus) 6.5; Bogdanovich Stanislav (Ukr) 7 beat NR Visakh 6; V Vishnu Prasanna 6 lost to Aleksandrov Aleksej (Blr) 6.5;

Mchedlishvili Mikheil (Geo) 6 drew with Mitrabha Guha 6; Neelotpal Das 5.5 lost to Rozum Ivan (Rus) 6.5; PDS Girinath 5.5 lost to Stupak Kirill (Blr) 6.5; MR Venkatesh 6.5 beat Eraschenkov Denis (Rus) 5.5; Vasquez Schroeder Rodrigo (Chi) 5.5 lost to Jubin Jimmy 6.5; Taher Yoseph Theolifus (Ina) 6 drew with GB Harshavardhan 6.