MR Venkatesh, who was the sole overnight leader, lost his match in an unprecedented manner against G Akash as he was penalised for arriving late by three minutes in round 11 of the National Premier Chess Championship at Kshudiram Anushiram Kendra on Friday.
With the result, the PSPB player lost his one point lead and now shares the pole position with three others, Vidit Gujrathi, Deep Sengupta and Akash who was gifted one point by Venkatesh.
Venkatesh said he was ‘stuck in traffic’ as he arrived at 2.33 pm but with zero tolerance rule, chief arbiter R Anantharam gave walkover to Akash. Akash of Tamil Nadu, who was paired against Venkatesh, took his tally to 7.5 after winning the game by default.
After the completion of 11th round, Venkatesh, Akash, Gujrathi and Sengupta were in the lead with 7.5 points apiece.
With the result, the PSPB player lost his one point lead and now shares the pole position with three others, Vidit Gujrathi, Deep Sengupta and Akash who was gifted one point by Venkatesh.
Venkatesh said he was ‘stuck in traffic’ as he arrived at 2.33 pm but with zero tolerance rule, chief arbiter R Anantharam gave walkover to Akash. Akash of Tamil Nadu, who was paired against Venkatesh, took his tally to 7.5 after winning the game by default.
After the completion of 11th round, Venkatesh, Akash, Gujrathi and Sengupta were in the lead with 7.5 points apiece.