Can Soundarya win 15th AICFB National Chess Championship for Visually Challenged?

by Shahid Ahmed - 09/04/2022

Kishan Gangolli (KAR) was held to a draw by Swapanil Shah (MAH) and Marimuthu K (TN) in the seventh and eighth round respectively. Meanwhile Soundarya Kumar Pradhan (ODI) won both of his games on the penultimate day against Subhendu Kumar Patra (ODI) and Aryan B Joshi (MAH) respectively. It propelled him to the sole lead 7.0/8. Kishan is at a half point behind 6.5/8, followed by Swapanil and Marimuthu at 6.0/8 each. Soundarya faces Swapanil in the last round and Kishan goes against the top seed Darpan Inani (GUJ). A win makes Soundarya a clear champion, whereas a draw will leave his fate on Kishan's hands. Final Round 9 starts today at 9:00 a.m. IST. Photo: IA Manjunatha M

Kishan's win streak in danger

Kishan Gangolli has won six consecutive AICFB National championship since 2013. Will Soundarya end his winning streak today? We will find out.

Soundarya Kumar Pradhan can become the new National Blind Chess Champion today | Photo:IA Manjunatha M

Round 7: Subhendu - Soundarya: 0-1

Soundarya Kumar Pradhan (1749) tricked his opponent Subhendu Kumar Patra (1783) nicely to get his queen.

Position after 21...Nbxd3

At a first glance 21...Nbxd3 seems deadly because of Ne4 family fork threat and the b2-bishop is also under attack. A careful inspection reveals that it is actually a mistake. Try to find out why. What White should not do here is 22.Rxd3 which is what happened in the game. 22...Ne4+ and Black won the queen, White resigned immediately.

Soundarya scored a very nice win against his statemate Subhendu | Photo: IA Marimuthu M

Round 8: Soundarya - Aryan: 1-0

In the penultimate round, Aryan Joshi (1909) found himself in a pickle. Both of his rook and bishop were under attack by Soundarya's bishop and rook respectively.

Position after 37.Bb5

37.Bb5 put Black in a grave difficulty. The d7-rook has only c7-square where it can move to keep the e7-bishop defended. 37...Rdc7 is the only move for Black to ensure the minimal loss of material. 37...Qd2 was played in the game. 38.Qe3 would have finished the game. However, Black got one last chance to stay in the game after 38.Rbb1 Rc3 is the move which continues the fight. The game continued 38...Bb4 39.Bxd7 Nxd7 40.Red1 Qh6 41.Rxb4 and it was over. Thus Soundarya gained sole lead heading into the final round of the tournament.

Kishan must win the final round game against Darpan to keep his seventh title hopes | Photo: IA Marimuthu M

For more Round 7 photos, please click here.

A total of 55 players are taking part from various states across India. The tournament is organized by All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB) from 5th to 9th April 2022 at PYC Hindu Gymkhana, Pune. The nine-round Swiss league tournament has a time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1. There are double rounds every day from 5th to 8th April. Last day 9th April 2022, there will be one round.

Replay Round 7-8 games

Round 8 results

Bo.	No.	Name	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	Result	Pts.	Name	Rtg	Club/City	No.
1	12	Marimuthu K	1586	T N	5½	½ - ½	6	Kishan Gangolli	2113	KAR	2
2	5	Soundarya Kumar Pradhan	1749	ORI	6	1 - 0	5½	Aryan B Joshi	1909	MAH	3
3	9	Samant Milind	1670	MAH	5	½ - ½	5	Somender B L	1446	DEL	18
4	11	Swapanil Shah	1622	MAH	5	1 - 0	5	Gopi R	1242	T N	35
5	1	Darpan Inani	2124	GUJ	4½	1 - 0	4½	Prachurya Kumar Pradhan	1630	ORI	10
6	21	Shidad M	1432	KER	4½	0 - 1	4½	Patra Subhendu Kumar	1783	ORI	4
7	7	Makwana Ashvin K	1729	GUJ	4½	1 - 0	4½	Sam Peniel P	1302	T N	31
8	25	Satya Praksah Shrivastava	1388	DEL	4½	0 - 1	4	Venkat Reddy S	1481	A P	16
9	13	Shashidhar K M	1547	KAR	4	1 - 0	4	Hariharan Gandhi	1399	T N	22
10	17	Noushad E P	1473	KER	4	1 - 0	4	Bharat	0	HAR	47

Details

Round 9 pairings

Bo.	No.	Name	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	Result	Pts.	Name	Rtg	Club/City	No.
1	11	Swapanil Shah	1622	MAH	6		7	Soundarya Kumar Pradhan	1749	ORI	5
2	2	Kishan Gangolli	2113	KAR	6½		5½	Darpan Inani	2124	GUJ	1
3	9	Samant Milind	1670	MAH	5½		6	Marimuthu K	1586	T N	12
4	3	Aryan B Joshi	1909	MAH	5½		5½	Patra Subhendu Kumar	1783	ORI	4
5	18	Somender B L	1446	DEL	5½		5½	Makwana Ashvin K	1729	GUJ	7
6	16	Venkat Reddy S	1481	A P	5		5	Shashidhar K M	1547	KAR	13
7	40	Shah Saiyam Kamleshbhai	1226	GUJ	5		5	Gopi R	1242	T N	35
8	10	Prachurya Kumar Pradhan	1630	ORI	4½		5	Noushad E P	1473	KER	17
9	31	Sam Peniel P	1302	T N	4½		4½	Patel Darshan	1680	GUJ	8
10	52	Sourabh Mishra	0	DEL	4½		4½	Shidad M	1432	KER	21

Details

Links

Tournament Info

AICFB official site

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