Savchenko grabs solo lead in Dubai Chess

Dubai - Sokolov, national coach of UAE goes down fighting

Russian GM Boris Savchenko beat erstwhile co-leader GM Ivan Sokolov of the Netherlands in the penultimate round to grab solo lead in the Dubai Open Chess Championship -  Shaikh Rashid bin Hamdan Cup at the Dubai Chess Club in Dubai, UAE.
Sokolov, national coach of the UAE, was in a fighting mood despite having the black pieces in a Ruy Lopez game. The Dutchman chose the Open variation which leads to tactical play. He seized control of the centre but was forced to give the exchange on the 20th move. Savchenko sacrificed a Rook on the 35th move and threatened mate to force resignation on the 47th move.
The win puts Savchenko, 29, alone with 7 points out of 8 rounds. Five players share second slot with 6.5 points, namely GMs Vladimir Akopian of Armenia, Gawain Jones of England, Levan Pantulaia of Georgia, Alexandr Fier of Brazil and Pouria Darini of Iran.
Akopian could make no headway against the Sicilian defence of Jones and the two erstwhile co-leaders drew in a marathon 71 moves. Pantsulaia used the Reti opening to threaten mate in 33 moves against GM S.P. Sethuraman of India. Fier used the Modern Benoni to beat Indian IM Shardul Gagare in 38 moves. Darini smashed the French defense of Eltaj Safarli of Azerbaijan in 60 moves of a King and pawn endgame.
Sokolov trails with 6 points together with six others, namely GMs Santosh Gujrathi Vidit of India, Mustafa Yilmaz of Turkey, Gabriel Sargissian of Armenia, David Anton Guijarro of Spain, Lazaro Bruzon Batista of Cuba and Mihail Antipov of Russia.
In the final round, Savchenko faces Jones who won Friday's blitz championship. Games are broadcast onwww.dubaichess.ae, site of the Dubai Chess and Culture Club. The top prize is $13,000 out of a total of $50,000 in cash awards up to the 15th place with special prizes for best in each category.