Kannan scalps five

SIVAKASI:

of Uzbekistan. Duda Jan-Kryzstof of Poland and Vincent Keymer of Germany share the eighth spot on four points and a completely o•-form Giri is now in the last spot with just two points.

Four more rounds remain in the rapid section of the event before an 18round blitz tournament kickstarts.

Earlier, World Number seven Arjun held Carlsen to an easy draw in the opener and then drew two more games to remain within striking distance of early leader Kirilll Shevchenko of Romania after the third round of tournament.

While Gukesh lost his ˆrst two games before drawing the third, R Praggnanandhaa recovered in the third round to beat Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan to be on a ˆfty percent score.

Early leader

Shevchenko, the lowest seed in the tournament emerged as the early leader with three victories on the trot coming in contrasting fashion.

The Ukrainian-turnedRomanian beneˆtted from a rare blunder by Gukesh in the ˆrst round, defeated Praggnanandhaa in a brilliantly crafted game and then showed his technical acumen to crash throught he defenses of Vincent Keymer of Germany.

Arjun and Praggnanandhaa share the fourth spot on 3 points apiece along with Keymer. Wei Yi of China shares the seventh spot with Giri and Duda Jan-Krzystof of Poland with two points in their kitty, while Gukesh is in the rear on one point.

Six more rounds in rapid and 18 in blitz still remain in the $175000 prize money tournament.

Standings after round 3 Rapid: 1. Kirill Shevchenko 6; 2-3: Carlsen, Abdusattorov 4 each;

4-6: Arjun, Pragganandhaa, Keymer 3 each; 7-9: Giri, Wei Yi, Duda 2 each; 10. Gukesh 1.

G. Theri Kannan’s ˆve for 23 set up Royal Kings Aces’ ˆve-wicket win over

Mepco Schlenk EC in the Virudhunagar DCA second division league.

Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education 93 in 19 overs (E. Rajeshkumar 3/18, M.D. Gowtham Ganesh 3/26, Selvakumar 3/32) lost to Sivakasi Town 97/2 in 16.2 overs (P.S. Giridharan 37).

Liberty 183/9 in 25 overs (Gopi Kannan 63, Anandraj 44) bt VRDCA ◣I 111 in 19.4 overs (P.S. Giridharan 56, Esakkipandi 33 n.o., Muthupandi 4/27, Mathimaran 3/23).

Miraculous 106/9 in 25 overs (Sabarisan 3/18) lost to United ◣I 107/2 in 12.1 overs (Vinayaka Moorthy 42, Mani Sundaram 39 n.o.).

Mepco Schlenk 124/9 in 20 overs (G. Theri Kannan 5/23) lost to Royal Kings Aces 125/5 in 18 overs (P. Kannapiran 47, S. Guhan 35 n.o.).

Yazhini 177 in 23.5 overs (M. Naveen 70, Vanniyarajan 4/45) bt Tamilthai 131 in 18.5 overs (Vanniyarajan 40, M.

Set for the Worlds

FILE PHOTO Top class: Arjun was clearly the pick of the day among three Indians showcasing a solid approach with three draws. The scores: I div.: II div.:

Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia with players and others dignitaries during a send-o Worlds in New Delhi on Thursday. SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR ceremony for the Kobe