Shining Satyapragyan secures 2nd GM norm

Orissa`s shining star Swayangsu Satyapragyan secured his second Grandmaster norm with a thumping win over Uzbekistan Grandmaster Mikheil Mchedlishvili in the eight round of the 4th Kolkata Open GM Chess Tournament at Gorky Sadan in Kolkata today. This was Satyapragyan’s third victory against Grandmasters and he shared the second place with GMs Viktor Laznicka (Czech Republic) and Evgeny Postny (Israel). He also secured his second Grandmaster norm in the process. Grandmasters Liem Le Quang (Vietnam) and Anton Filippov (Uzbekistan) emerged joint leaders with 6.5 points each. With two rounds to go, Air India employee Satyapragyan (6 points) brightened his chances of a podium finish as well. He next meets English Grandmaster Nigel Short (Elo 2706), who has been given the second seed in the strongest tournament of Asia. Inspired by Satyapragyan’s superb success, his three statemates too performed well in the eighth round with state champion Anwesh Upadhyaya and Swayams Mishra defeating higher rated opponents, including an International Master and Woman International Master Padmini Rout forcing an IM to draw. Orissa results (Round 8): Swayangsu Satyapragyan (6) beat GM Mikheil Mchedlishvili (Geo), Padmini Rout (4) drew with IM Saptarshi Roy Chowdhury (Ind), Swayams Mishra (4.5) beat IM PDS Girinath (Ind), Anwesh Upadhyaya (4) beat Swapnil S Dhopade (Ind). Pairings (Round 9): S Satyapragyan vs GM Nigel Short (Eng), P Rout vs Ankit R Rajpara (Ind), S Mishra vs IM MR Lalith Babu (Ind), A Upadhyaya vs GM Neelotpal Das (Ind).