61st National Championship R6: Surya Sekhar Ganguly scores a double hat-trick to emerge sole leader
23/08/2024 - GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly (PSPB) defeated IM Neelash Saha (RSPB) to emerge sole lead after Round 6 of 61st National Championship 2024. The top seed, Surya kept putting pressure on his opponent from the beginning, taking away castling rights. Neelash fought back. However, in the end he fell into a checkmate combination. India's strongest IM Aronyak Ghosh held the defending champion, GM Sethuraman S P to a draw. GM Sayantan Das (RSPB) persevered two pawns down endgame to beat CM Aakash G (TN). Aronyak and Sayantan are the only two at 5.5/6 each. They are followed by dozen players at 5/6 each. Round 7 starts today at 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Himank Ghosh