Popov inches closer to title

Russian Grandmaster Ivan Popov inched closer to the title after settling for a draw with Yuri Solodovnichenko of Ukraine in the ninth and penultimate round of the premier group of the 14th Parsvnath Delhi International chess festival on Friday.

After seven victories, Popov took no chances with Solodovnichenko and his second draw on the trot ensured that he has a half point lead going in to the final round of `12.5 lakh tournament.

Grandmaster Czebe Attila of Hungary is Popov’s closest contender on 7.5 points after beating the highest rated Indian in the fray, M.R. Lalith Babu.

With just a round to go, Ukrainians Solodovnichenko, Vitaly Sivuk and Valeriy Neverov share third place on seven points apiece.

It was another productive day for the hosts. As many as four norms were made by Indians and with one more round to go, there are three more in contention.

R.A. Pradeep Kumar finished his third and final International Master norm just by appearing against Neverov as the Indian had achieved the feat with a round to spare.

Himal Gusain defeated compatriot K. Praneeth Surya to achieve the feat while Mehar Chinna Reddy also got his IM norm despite a loss to N.R. Vignesh.

Recently migrated to Delhi, Srija Seshadri joined the party getting herself a Women International Master norm despite her loss to Marat Dzhumaev of Uzbekistan.

Pradeep had held Vietnamese GM Nguyen Duc Hua to a draw in the eighth round to assure himself of the IM norm.