Author: Banjan

Playing with the Black pieces, Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna (2733) was facing Chinese GM Wang Hao (2704), where he needed a draw to clinch clear first place. However, if GM Wang Hao could win this particular game, he would tie for first with GM Harikrishna. A classic India-China duel was in the offing.

And GM wang Hao pushed with all his might. He had almost close to a decisive advantage, however, GM Harikrishna smartly kept pressurizing White’s pawns and cleverly liquidated to a drawn endgame to hold fort and win the tournament by a full point’s margin with 7.5/9.

GM Wang Hao meanwhile tied for the second place with GM Vassily Ivanchuck of Ukraine and GM S.S. Ganguly of India, with 6.5/9.

Check the Final Ranking Cross-table here.

GM Pentala Harikrishna (2733) of India won his Round 8 game to move to a phenomenal 7.0/8. Second placed GM Wang Hao (2704) also won his game to stick to his second spot with 6.0/8.

In fact, all the higher seeds had no difficulties dispatching their lower rated opponents. GM S.S. Ganguly (2625) also won his game to stay joint third with 5.5/8.

Check out the standings and pairings here.

Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna (2733) drew his sixth and seventh round games with Ukrainian GM Vassily Ivanchuck and compatriot GM S.S. Ganguly respectively to move to 6.0/7. He is a point clear of Chinese GM Wang Hao (2704) who is at 5.0/7.

The other Indian in fray, GM Ganguly (2625) is tied for third with GM Ivanchuck at 4.5/7.

You may check the standings and pairings here.

Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna (2733) won his fifth straight game to move to a spectacular 5.0/5. He is a full 1.5 points ahead of second placed Ukranian GM Vassily Ivanchuck (2733).

GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly (2625) meanwhile drew his game with GM Samuel Shankland (2656) of USA to move to 3.0/5.

Check the standings and results here.

GM Pentala Harikrishna (2733) of India won his fourth game in a row to gain a massive lead of 1.5 points to move to 4.0/4.

The four players tied for the second spot after the erstwhile round settled for draws with each other to move to 2.5/4.

You may check the standings and pairings here.

Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna (2733) won his third straight game to increase his lead by a full point over his nearest rivals.

Four players are tied at the second sport with 2.0/3, including Indian Gm Surya Shekhar Ganguly who has two draws and a win.

Check the rankings and pairings here.