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North East Champion holds former Russia Champion in Round 2 of Kathmandu Open 2018

by Shahid Ahmed - 13/04/2018

Reigning North East 2018 champion Rahul Gurung drew with the top seed of the tournament, former Russia champion, GM Sergey Volkov in the 2nd round of Kathmandu Open 2018. Rahul was ahead by a knight but the Russian Grandmaster managed to squeeze a draw in the endgame. The tournament started today with 166 players from 12 different countries including 9 Grandmasters and 9 International Masters. Top seeds had smooth sailing in the first round as there was no upset. We bring you photos, videos and games from both Round 1 and 2 of the tournament. Photo: Nongsha Angom

Untitled Rahul Gurung held GM Sergey Volkov to a draw

Despite having a rating difference of 636, playing with Black pieces against the top seed of the tournament would definitely shake anyone's confidence but that was not the case with Rahul Gurung, reigning North East Champion. He got material advantage in the middle game, however the experienced GM who is also the former Russia Champion managed to save the game.

Reigning North East 2018 champion Rahul Gurung speaks after drawing with top seed of the tournament, GM Sergey Volkov

Round 1 highlights

Sergey Volkov had an easy first round against Sarthak Rawat | Photo: Nongsha Angom

You never know whom you are going to face, Sandipan faced Uttam Dhungel, the guy who went to receive him at the airport

Deep Sengupta made a clinical finish against Dr. Kakshapati Prayash Shrestha  | Photo: Nongsha Angom

Tarlev Konstantin of Ukraine got a pawn in the opening and converted it into an easy win against Sunil Bahadur Koirala

Azer Mirzoev of Azerbaijan converted his advantage of a pawn beautifully against Kunwar Ranjan

Round 2 highlights

Sandipan Chanda made a quick work of Rajbhandari Rijendra in Caro-Kann Defence  | Photo: Nongsha Angom

Prince Bajaj defeated yours truly from a seemingly equal position, arising out of Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation | Photo: Nongsha Angom

Padmini won her second round game in Sicilian Defence, after her first round opponent did a no-show

Round 3 on 2018/04/14 at 09:00 NST

Bo.No. NameRtgPts.ResultPts.NameRtg No.
12
GMSandipan Chanda257922CMThing Bibek2263
22
223
Patil Pratik225822GMSengupta Deep2579
3
34
GMTarlev Konstantin254922IMSuvrajit Saha2234
24
427
FMMohammed Abdul Malek217122GMMirzoev Azer2504
5
56
GMGreenfeld Alon249022FMJaiswal Rupesh2121
29
628
FMShantharam K.V.216322GMKasparov Sergey2462
7
78
IMHarsha Bharathakoti242422Harshita Guddanti2064
37
830
Harshavardhan G B211922IMLlaneza Vega Marcos2422
9
910
IMGusain Himal241322FMHamal Manish2058
38
1034
CMShrestha Keshav209422IMPrince Bajaj2409
11
1112
GMSriram Jha239222Anustoop Biswas2039
40
1236
Subhayan Kundu207922GMFominyh Alexander2391
13
1314
IMShyaamnikhil P238522Kavinda Akila1996
42
1416
IMPadmini Rout236022CMNiraula Bhupendra1994
43
1541
Nepali Badrilal202022IML'ami Alina2316
18
1619
FMGajwa Ankit229222Panta Sumit1993
45
1744
Puri Rajan199422Navalgund Niranjan2286
20
1821
IMDeshmukh Anup228222Chaulagain Purushottam1967
48
191
GMVolkov Sergey25982Dangol Maheshwor Lal1702
83
2084
Aryan Ranjan1697Neelash Saha2212
25

Complete Pairings