Eighth round: No changes in the top
From:
There weren’t any big changes in the top after today’s eighth round meaning GM Srinath Narayanan (2549) is now the big favorite to win the tournament with just one round left.
GM Srinath Narayanan (2549) had black against GM Normunds Miezis (2463), who has also had a very good tournament so far. It was an even game all the way and finally they agreed on a draw.
GM Normunds Miezis (2463) has had a good tournament so far. Today he got a draw against leader GM Srinath Narayanan (2549).
The draw of leader GM Srinath Narayanan (2549) gave GM Gawain Jones (2670) a chance to reduce the lead to just ½ a point before the last round. GM Gawain Jones (2670) had black against GM Helgi Dam Ziska (2552), but he never won the decisive advantage necessary to win the game. The two grandmasters also agreed on a draw. This draw means that GM Srinath Narayanan (2549) is leading with 1 point before the last game tomorrow.
Two of the closest rivals are the two named above, GM Normunds Miezis (2463) and GM Gawain Jones (2670). After yesterday’s games there are also two other players on 5½ points. IM Maksim Vavulin (2552) is one of them after a win with black against FM Rógvi E. Nielsen (2337) and the other one is GM Vitaly Kunin (2538) after a win against GM Alon Greenfeld (2496).
IM Maksim Vavulin (2552) is back among the closest floowers of the leader after a win against FM Rógvi E. Nielsen (2337)
Of the Faroese players there are three players even on 5 points trailing the leader by 1½ point. They are GM Helgi Dam Ziska (2552), FM Høgni E. Nielsen (2397) and IM John Arni Nielsen (2301). The latter of these three after a good win with black against IM Martin Haubro (2373).
You can see today’s games here.
You can see the results from the eighth round here and the standing here.
