Negi wins, moves up to joint 2nd at Baku Open chess

Baku, Sep 29 (IANS) Parimarjan Negi finally found his winning ways by grabbing a win over Tomike Sanikidze in the seventh round and moved up to joint second at the International chess Festival Baku Open 2012.

He was within half a point of the leader and defending champion Sergei Zhigalko. Behind Zhigalko (5.5 points), there are three players including Negi at five.

Negi, the Asian champion, who is still unbeaten had drawn his last three games, won the seventh round against Georgian Sanikidze (2586) to keep his chances of winning the title alive. He now has five points with three wins and four draws and Zhigalko (2667), who beat Anton Korobov (2705) has 5.5 points.

“Today was a wild game. I surprised him with an interesting novelty, and he took almost an hour to deal with it. Eventually this time difference turned out to be the key, even though I missed chances to finish the game cleanly. But under increasing time pressure he failed to find the correct defences. It was nice to win after three draws,” said Negi.

The eighth round could see a pairing between Negi and Zhigalko and that may well give the Indian a chance to move ahead.

Joining Negi at five points was Rauf Mamedov, who beat overnight joint leader, Baris Esen, while Mikheil Mchedlishivli also joined them at five beating Gulnar Mammadova.