GM Aleksey Grebnev of Russia (above right), playing under the FIDE flag, continued to overpower the opposition and maintain solo lead in the homestretch of the Asian Junior Chess Championship at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.
In round 7, Grebnev used the Sicilian defense to crush IM Munkhdalai Amilal of Mongolia (above left) in 57 moves and tally 6 points, a half point ahead of second running compatriot IM Artem Uskov. He smashed the King’s Indian Defense of Sureka Akshat of India in 47 moves.
Five players follow with 5 points each, namely Amilal, IM Michael Concio, Jr. of the Philippines, Imangali Akhilbay of Kazakhstan and Krishna Rohiti and S. Aswath, both of India.
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A total of 30 juniors and 22 girls are participating from thirteen countries, namely Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia under FIDE flag, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and host Philippines. The event is hosted by the Tagaytay Chess Club under the auspices of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Asian Chess Federation and International Chess Federation in cooperation with the City of Tagaytay, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee
In the Asian Girls, WIM Anna Shukhman of Russia, playing under the FIDE flag, outmaneuvered the Petroff Defense of WFM Kristina Popandopulo of Kazakhstan who blundered into a Knight fork on the 38th move, lost the exchange and resigned two moves later. Shukhman leads alone with 6 points.
Top seed G. Tejaswini of India is close behind with 5.5 points. Tejaswini won the exchange of Rook for Bishop on the 25th move and promoted her pawn on the 34th move to force resignation ten moves later.
Hader Sneha of India used the Caro Kann defense to draw with compatriot WFM V. Rindhiya in 45 moves and trail in third slot with 5 points. Rindhiya and seven others follow with 4 points apiece in striking distance for medals.
Toma Matsunaga of Japan (left) with mother Yuko Matsunaga