Harika holds GM Stefansson @ Reykjavik Open 2010

Former World Junior Champion and International Master Dronavalli Harika (2471) held Grandmaster Hannes Stefansson (2574) of Iceland to a draw in the sixth round of the Reykjavik Open 2010. The quiet 17 move draw in the Slav game places Harika in the shared fourth spot, along with fellow Indians Abhijeet Gupta and Eesha Karavade at 4.5 points. Sahaj Grover & Tania Sachdev were half a point behind at 4.0 points, followed by Vishal Sareen at 3.5 points.

Andhra girl Harika has been in top form at Iceland, performing at an ELO rating of 2647 and could be in line for a Grandmaster Norm. So far, Harika drew with GMs Baklan, Nataf and Stefansson, and accounted for GM Yuri Shulman of USA in the third round. In the crucial seventh round, she meets talented 13-year-old Ukraine boy Ilya Nyzhnyk (2495).

In another interesting game, Pune based WGM Eesha Karavade (2405) held experienced Grandmaster Alexei Dreev (2650) of Russia to a draw in 58 moves. The Grunfeld battled extended from a sharp middle game, that converted into a rook and two minor pieces ending. With timely exchanges and series of accurate moves the Russian forced Eesha to split the point. The final position was a technical draw with Eesha’s doubled rook pawns queening in the opposite color, well covered by Dreev.

Six Indians are among the 57 titled players in this strong Open at Iceland. 20 Grandmasters, 2 Women Grandmasters and 17 International Masters complete the line-up of 104 players from 22 countries.

Official Site :

http://www.skaksamband.is/?c=webpage&id=379&lid=305&option=links

LIVE GAMES :

http://dl.skaksamband.is/mot/2010/MPRvikOpen2010/r6/tfd.htm

Results :

http://www.chess-results.com/tnr29384.aspx?art=2&rd=7&lan=1&fed=IND&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000

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