Maksim Chigaev and Mikhail Antipov Take Lead at Russian Championship Higher League
Triumvirate appeared in the women's event.
The fifth round of the Russian Championships Higher League was played in Sochi on October 12.
In the open tournament, Maksim Chigaev defeated Aleksandr Rakhmanov, while Mikhail Antipov bested Evgeny Alekseev. Both leaders have scored 4 points each. Aleksey Goganov, Vladimir Fedoseev, Pavel Ponkratov, Sanan Sjugirov, Vladislav Artemiev, Aleksei Pridorozhni, Valery Sviridov, and Konstantin Sakaev are half a point behind.
Maksim Chigaev seemingly managed to surprise his opponent in the opening, having chosen quite a rare and tricky line with 4. h3 in the Scotch Game. White got a piece for three pawns quite quickly:
Chigaev - Rakhmanov
7. d4 Ne7 8. Qa4 c6 9. Nxe7 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxc3+ 11. Bd2 Qxe7 12. Bxc3 exd4+ 13. Be2, and White converted his edge despite his opponent's tough resistance.
Antipov - Alekseev
The time trouble blunder: 40...Rdс7? 41. Qa2! Qxd3 42. Qf2+ Ke6 43. Re8+ Re7 44. Rg7! Black resigned.
The leader of the women's event Valentina Gunina lost to Leya Garifullina as White. Both players were caught up by Marina Guseva, who had beaten Margarita Schepetkova. The leading trio has got 4 points each. Yulia Grigorieva, Baira Kovanova, Ekaterina Kovalevskaya, Tatyana Getman, and Ekaterina Goltseva are trailing by half a point.
October 13 is a rest day.
Tournament on Chess-Results
Tournament page
Information & photos by Eteri Kublashvili
