2011 Sydney International Open - Day 3

Indian FM Khamparia Akshat is the real surprise packet of the 2011 Sydney International Open, leading the event with 5.5/6 after day 3. Having beaten GM Darryl Johansen and IM Stephen Solomon yesterday, he defeated FM Chris Wallis and drew with GM Andrei Deviatkin in today's rounds. Akshat, who is looking to get his rating above 2400 to complete the requirements for an International Master title, currently is in line for a GM norm, although he needs to avoid playing too many Australian players (any more than 6 invalidates the norm)

Tied for second are GM Andrei Deviatking, GM David Arutinian and FM Chris Wallis. Wallis defeated IM Stephen Solomon on the afternoon round, and a strong finish may leave him with an IM norm. However he first has to overcome GM Deviatkin in tomorrow mornings round.

The other sensation of the tournament is the form of GM Sune Berg Hansen. Playing the gruelling Bangkok/Canberra/Sydney schedule is clearly taking its toll, as he lost to New Zealand FM Michael Steadman in under 25 moves today. Playing fast and loose with

the position. Hansen looked like he was playing for tricks but it all went terribly wrong.

In the Challengers tournament, top seed Maros Zajac leads by half a point from Ian Dickson and Harry Press. Press plays Zajac in the first round tomorrow, while Dickson is up against Tony Davis.

Full coverage of this event can be found at www.parrachessclub.org

Steadman,Michael - Hansen,Sune Berg [E20]

Sydney International Open Sydney (6), 29.04.2011

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 c5 5.d5 0-0 6.e4 Re8 7.Nge2 d6 8.Bd2 a6 9.Ng3 b5 10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.cxb5 d5 12.bxa6 c4 13.exd5 Bh3+ 14.Nce4 Nxd5 15.Bxb4 Nxb4 16.gxh3 Qa5 17.Kf2 N8c6 18.Bxc4 Ne5 19.Qb3 Nxc4 20.Qxc4 Rac8 21.Qb3 Rc2+ 22.Ne2 Rxb2 23.Qe3 Nc2 (D)

24.Nf6+ 1-0