Neelotpal splits point, Humpy loses

International Master Neelotpal Das held Grandmaster Ehsan Ghaem Maghami (IRI) while Koneru

Humpy bumped out in the sixth round of the 5th Asian Chess Championship at the KVBR indoor stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

On the top board Li Shilong and Zhang Zhong agreed for a quick draw after six moves to remain on top with five points each.

Neelotpal Das, aspiring for a full GM norm, agreed for a draw after 12 moves in a game involving Czec Benomi defence and improved his tally to 4.5.

Humpy could not, however, position her pieces well in a game that slipped into Najdorf variation of the Sicilian defence while her opponent Susanto Megaranto (INA) played a calculated counter attack by launching a double rook attack.

With two rooks and a knight attacking the king which had little protection Humpy bowed down in the 31st move and remained on four points.

With three more games to go, the Indian challenge looks weak unless Humpy and Neelotpal make long strides in the finishing part of the tournament.

In the other games Enamul Hossain (BAN) defeated G Rohitwhile Saptrishi Roy Chowdhry, GN Gopal and Sunil Moka drew with their respective rivals.

Woman Grandmaster D Harika lost to Dibyendu Barua while Himanshu Sharma lost to Al Modiahki Mohamad (QAT).