File photograph of Magnus Carlsen.© AFP
World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen recorded a flawless efficiency, securing victories towards S L Narayanan, Wesley So and Arjun Erigaisi, to take the only lead on the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid Tournament in Kolkata on Thursday. Starting the day simply half a degree behind in a single day chief Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the Norwegian’s masterful play elevated him to the highest of the leaderboard with a commanding 5 factors out of a attainable six within the ‘Open’ part. Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina too got here up with an equally spectacular efficiency within the ladies’s part to safe the only lead following three victories on day two.
Her back-to-back wins towards India’s Vantika Agrawal and R. Vaishali was adopted by a victory over Kateryna Lagno, which took her tally to 5 factors.
Close on Carlsen’s heels is former World Rapid champion Abdusattorov with 4.5 factors. The Uzbek prodigy held his personal with attracts towards Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi in rounds 4 and 5, and ended the day with a win over Narayanan, positioning himself as Carlsen’s major challenger heading into the ultimate day.
In the ladies’s part, Georgian Grandmaster Nana Dzagnidze is carefully trailing Aleksandra with 4 factors. Dzagnidze’s profitable day included wins over Vaishali and Koneru Humpy in addition to a hard-fought draw with Kateryna Lagno.
India’s D. Harika and Vantika Agrawal, and Valentina Gunina share the third spot with 3.5 factors every.
Standings: (Open) Magnus Carlsen 5; Nodirbek Abdusattorov 4.5; Wesley So 3.5; Daniel Dubov and R. Praggnanandhaa 3; SL Narayanan and Vincent Keymer 2.5; Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi 2.
Women: Aleksandra Goryachkina 5; Nana Dzagnidze 4; Vantika Agarwal, D Harika, Valentina Gunina 3.5; Kateryna Lagno 3; Divya Deshmukh 2.5; Koneru Humpy, Alexandra Kosteniuk 2; R Vaishali 1.
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