Press Trust of India, India
April 10 2010

Harika holds Melkumyan, Ravichandran loses

STAFF WRITER 10:36 HRS IST
By Our Chess Correspondent

Dubai, Apr 10 (PTI) International Master Dronavalli Harika held
Armenian Grandmaster Hrant Melkumyan to a draw, while compatriot Tejas
Ravichandran’s dream run was halted by Grandmaster Ghaem Maghami Ehsan
of Iran in fourth round of the 12th Dubai International Open Chess
tournament here.

Harika played solidly with white pieces to keep the aspirations of
Melkumyan at bay in a King’s Indian defense game and the Armenian
could do no better than holding on to an equal position in a keenly
contested encounter.

Harika now shares the second spot with eight others, including
compatriot Parimarjan Negi, on 3.5 points each in the nine-round
event.

Meanwhile, Maghami emerged as the sole leader in the USD 45,000
tournament after getting the better of Ravichandran, who had beaten
three Grandmasters coming in to the fourth round.