Day 4 – the heat is on

GM Sune Berg Hansen looking pensive at the start of his sixth round match with IM Atanu Lahiri

The atmosphere is incredibly concentrated at this stage of the tournament. Mokal Sunil held GM Short to a second draw, while GM Hansen storms into a half point lead with a fine win over IM Atanu Lahiri.

The Indian junior Suri Vaibhav continues his remarkable performance with a win over Siyuan Shen of China, so he is one of 5 players chasing Hansen, with 5/6 points. Perhaps Suri will achieve his final IM norm.

In the Challenger group, defending champion Andrew Horton-Kitchlew, Frenchman Stephane Reinert and unrated Joel Pacuribot share first place with 4/4.

Fight for the #1 spot

Top seeds GM Nigel Short and GM Sune Berg Hansen

The third day proceeded well. With just one afternoon game per day, the top players were able to prepare for their opponents. The top seeds faced each other and fought tenaciously, but in the end a draw could not be avoided. Going into the 6th round there are 4 players on 4.5 points, so we should continue to see some fine chess.

In the Challenger section there are 6 players with 3/3 points and two more close behind with 2.5

Sasin simul

Thailand Junior Chess Championships
Photo courtesy of ThaiBG.com

Sasin organised a fantastic event over the weekend with the Thailand Junior Chess Championships, followed by a spectacular double simul featuring the current Thailand Champion, Krisdayut Plengsap, and Croatian GM Dražen Sermek, who lives in Phuket. Each champion had to face not only 20 boards, but met in the middle to play each other at the same time.

While the GM had to face more challenging opponents, it was also tough for Krisdayut as it was his first simultaneous exhibition match, and he had to spend more time at each board and to complete the gruelling match.

Congratulations to the top-notch Sasin business school for their great organisation of the events.

Nigel Short returns to Bangkok

Nigel Short in another serious chess game
Some people wrongly accuse GM Nigel Short of taking the game too seriously…

GM Nigel Short has confirmed his participation in the 10th Thailand Open 2010, no doubt planning to avoid too many draws and get his name on the trophy this time. He will also have noted that, with the new format, the important games will be played at one per day, allowing more time for preparation and hangover recovery.

Henry wins the BCC Club Championship

Congratulations to Henry Calacday, who sealed his place at No. 1 with a fine victory with black over Kai. Kai started with his trademark b3 and Ba3, but after sacrificing (losing?) two pawns Henry had better development and a strong attack.

Will Henry’s rating go up so much that he will be ineligible for the Challenger Tournament in April?

Jon is second placed. Full results to follow.