Karthikeyan Murali holds Sunilduth Lyna Narayanan, Aravindh Chithambaram joins leaders

International Master Karthikeyan Murali held Sunilduth Lyna Narayanan to a hard-fought draw and in the process allowing Aravindh Chithambaram to return to the top after the 10th and penultimate round of the 44th National Open (Boys) Junior Under-19 Chess Championship at the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Thursday.

Murali, the top-ranked player from Tamil Nadu, played with white pieces and made ample use of the first chance to put Sunilduth on the backfoot before the two decided to split the point.

The draw meant Sunilduth from Kerala moved up by only half-a-point to 8, but a comprehensive win by Chithambaram over Antonio Viani D'Cunha of Karnataka helped the Tamil Nadu player to join the leaders.
The two leaders were closely followed by five players – Murali, Fenil Shah, Harsha Bharathakoti, B Kumaran and G Akash, all half-a-point behind.

In the girls section, Michelle Catherina of Tamil Nadu caused a flutter when she defeated overnight leader and statemate Saranya J on the top table. Both Michelle and Woman FIDE Master Saranya are on eight points with one round to go.

Madhurima Shekhar of Delhi; Nandhidhaa PV of Tamil Nadu and WFM Monnisha GK of Tamil Nadu were closely behind the leaders.