GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (above left) of Uzbekistan and GM Xu Yinglun (above right) of China share the lead with perfect 3 point slates after as many rounds of the Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship on Tornelo. Eleven players follow with 2.5 points apiece in the race for the top 7 qualification slots to the World Cup this July in Sochi, Russia.
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Yakubboev converted the Reti Opening of GM Urtnasan Nasanjargal of Mongolia into a Queen’s Pawn Game and gained the exchange of Rook for Bishop on the 31st move. The Uzbek blocked pawn promotion and forced resignation on the 40th move (see diagram below after 40… Ba5).
GM Xu Yinglun essayed the English Opening against GM Sumiya Bilguun of Mongolia and in a Queen and Rook skirmisch made a king hunt to force resignation in 46 moves (see diagram below after 46… Qxd5?) There followed 47. Rh4+ Kg8 48. Qh8+ Kf7 49. Rf4+ Ke7 50. Qg7+ Ke6 51. Rf6+ Ke5 52. Rxg6+ Kf4 53. Qf8+ Ke3 54. Rxd6 1:0
Tied with 2.5 points each are GMs Ehsan Ghaem Maghami and Amin Tabatabaei of Iran, Lu Shanglei of China, Temur Kuybokarov of Australia, Sindarov Javokhir of Uzbekistan and Priasmoro Novendra of Indonesia and IMs Sugar Gan-Erdne of Mongolia, Mousavi Seyed Kahlil of Iran, Tin Jingyao and Lou Yiping of China and untitled Sattarov Bobir of Uzbekistan.
Urtnasan and 20 others follow with 2 points each to be within striking distance of the lead pack. At stake in the 9-round Swiss is a total of $16,000 in cash prizes. Games start 10am (UAE time) daily.