After some indifferent performances in the recent past, Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran would look forward to redeem pride in the Sigeman & Co. chess tournament that gets underway at Hipp Theater Friday night. It is certainly going to be a tough call for Sasikiran who is back to competitive chess after a couple of below-average performances in the past few months. Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura of United States will start as the top seed of the category-13 event. Rated 2657, Nakamura is the youngest ever Grandmaster from States and is highly regarded already at the age of just 17. Crucial eventThe event will be played on a round-robin basis between ten players and has an average rating of ELO 2570. This is already the 13th time that this event is organized but it will be a first time in Malmo for Sasikiran. The uniqueness of the tournament is clearly distinguished by the fact that it is played in two parts and in two countries. The first five rounds will be held at Malmo and for the last four rounds the participants will move to Copenhagen in Denmark. Seeded second here, Sasikiran's main rival is likely to be Nakamura and Danish Grandmaster Curt Hansen. The Indian will start his campaign with black pieces against International Master Emil Hermansson of Sweden and a good start can be expected as the Swede is rated way below Sasikiran. Statistically Sasikiran, rated 2642, will have to score 5.5 points to retain his present rating and anything above that will add to his present ELO. (PTI)
Sasikiran looks forward to redeem pride
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