The 1st round of the Kotak Mahindra Bank International Open FIDE Rating Tournament, which commenced here at Thakur College, Kandivali, witnessed upsets on the top tables as 5th seeded Chinmay Kulkarni (2262) was shocked by 17-year Pune youngster, Aakash Kulkarni (1489).
Playing Black, Chinmay opted for the Benko Gambit against Queen Pawn Opening of Aakash and reached a good position in the middle game stage. However, an error on the 40th move at the end of 1st time-control allowed Aakash to turn the tables. Chinmay resigned immediately thereafter.
A minor flutter was also witnessed on table 12 as veteran national player, M.N. Abhyankar (2122) was defeated by 12 year old, Krishnater Kushager from the Black side of Sicilian Grand-Prix attack.
Meanwhile, the other seeds had no difficulty in sailing through to round 2. Top-seeded International Master Aditya Udeshi (2428) made short work of Aditya Guhagarkar (1514).
2nd seeded, Sameer Kathmale – conditional International Master from Sangli bear Abhjieet Joshi in 31 moves. The 3rd seeded Vikramaditya Kulkarni defeated Jainam Gala in 36 moves from the black-side of Sicilian Defense.
This 9-round tourney has attracted 140 rated players from 10-states of India, inclusive of 3 international Master, 2 Fide Masters, who are vying for the 1st prize of Rs.75,000 in a pool of 3-Lakh prize fund.
Earlier, the event was inaugurated by Mr. Sameer Tiwari, Vice-President & Circle-Sales Manager of the sponsors, Kotak Mahindra Bank.
Key Results of Round 1:
Aditya Guhagarkar (0) 1514 Lost to IM Udeshi Aditya (1) 2428
Kathmale Sameer (1) 2356 Beat Joshi Abhijeet M (0) 1513
Gala Jainam (0) 1507 Lost to IM Kulkarni Vikramaditya (1) 2346
FM Thakur Akash (1) 2297 Beat Jadhav Vaibhavi (0) 1494
Kulkarni Aakash (1) 1489 Beat Kulkarni Chinmay (0) 2262
Deepak Katiyar (1) 2182 Beat Gadre Chinmay (0) 1485
Harish Gohil (0) 1484 Lost to Purushothaman T (1) 2167
FM Joshi S G (1) 2145 Beat Lotlikar Priya (0) 1480
Abhyankar M.N. (0) 2122 Lost to Krishnater Kushager (1) 1468
Kulkarni Saurabh P (0) 1456 Lost to Mihir Naniwadekar (1) 1943
FI. Praful Zaveri
Tournament Director
