GM Harikrishna outwits Padmini

Grandmaster P Harikrishna outclassed Padmini Rout in the ninth and penultimate round to set up a final round clash against tournament leader Hikaru Nakamura of the United States in the masters section of Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival. In what was a must win situation to keep himself in contention for top honours, Harikrishna gave a pleasing display of attacking chess and scored a chanceless victory over countrymate Rout, who anyway celebrated her maiden Grandmaster norm. Nakamura was held to a draw by Axel Bachmann of Paraguay at the top of the tables and the American stays in lead on eight points out of a possible nine in the 175000 Pounds Sterling prize money festival. David Howell of England defeated Daniel Naroditsky of USA to emerge as the lone player on 7.5 points. Harikrishna shares the third spot along with women’s world champion Yifan Hou of China, Nikita Vituigov of Russia and Bachmann who all have seven points.