Aravindh Chithambaram defeats Salem to secure top spot in Sharjah tournament

Indian Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram showcased his dominance in the fifth round of the Sharjah Masters chess tournament by defeating local favorite A R Saleh Salem. With this victory, Chithambaram has emerged as the sole leader with 4.5 points, leaving behind a trail of top players in his wake.

Following closely behind Chithambaram are four players, including the Iranian duo of Amin Tabatabaei and Bardiya Daneshvar, as well as Americans Hans Moke Niemann and Sam Shankland, all with four points each. The competition is heating up as the tournament progresses, with the top seed Arjun Erigaisi and another Indian player Sankalp Gupta in the mix with 3.5 points each.

Despite facing tough competition, Chithambaram displayed his strategic prowess by outplaying Salem in a King’s Indian defense. The game saw Chithambaram exerting pressure on the queen side before unleashing a brilliant tactical sequence that ultimately led to his victory after 48 moves.

Meanwhile, Erigaisi faced a challenging match against Volodar Murzin but managed to secure a draw in the end. Sankalp Gupta continued his impressive run by holding Teimour Radjabov to a draw, while Abhimanyu Puranik suffered a loss to Amin Tabatabaei.

With four rounds still to be played in the tournament, the competition is fierce, and the players are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for victory. The Sharjah Masters chess tournament promises to deliver more thrilling matches and intense battles as the players vie for the coveted title and a share of the USD 52000 prize money.