The Hindu : Sport / Chess : Kunte, Gopal qualify for World Cup

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Sunday, Sep 30, 2007
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Sport - Chess

Kunte, Gopal qualify for World Cup

NEW DELHI: Abhijit Kunte and G. N. Gopal qualified for this year’s World Cup by finishing in the top-10 bracket of the Asian chess championship in Cebu City, in the Philippines, on Saturday.

Kunte crushed top-seeded Chinese Ni Hua in just 31 moves to head a six-way tie for the third spot with 7.5 points. Gopal drew with another Chinese GM Yu Shaoteng in 22 moves to occupy the ninth spot in the premier championship.

G. Rohit, whose International Master title was confirmed by the World Chess Federation earlier this week in Mexico City, scored over Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem to finish a creditable 13th.

China’s Zhang Pengxiang took the title ahead of compatriot Wang Hao due to superior tiebreak score after the duo tied at eight points.

The World Cup will start at Khanty Mansiysk from November 24.

The results: 11th round (Only Indians): Ni Hua (Chn, 6.5) lost to Abhijit Kunte (7.5); Yu Shaoteng (Chn, 7) drew with G. N. Gopal (7); G. Rohit (7) bt Liem Le Quang (Vie, 6); Deepan Chakkravarthy (6) lost to Enamul Hossain (Ban, 7).

Sandipan Chanda (6) drew with Mark Paragua (Phi, 6); Nguyen Anh Dung (Vie, 6.5) bt P. D. S. Girinath (5.5); Mohammad Al Sayed (Qat, 5.5) drew with Parimarjan Negi (5.5); Dinh Duc Trong (Vie, 5.5) bt Arun Prasad (4.5).

Lanka Ravi (4.5) bt N. A. Hussain (Irq, 3.5); M. R. Lalith Babu (4) bt Mirabeau Maga (Phi, 2.5).

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