Negi goes down to Ivan Cheparinov in Sigeman and Co Chess

Malmo, Sweden, Apr 26 (UNI) World's youngest Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi's hopes of a top half finish in the Sigeman and Co Chess tournament ended with a disappointing loss to table topper Ivan Cheparinov of Bulgaria in the penultimate round here.

With this loss, his fourth in the tournament, the 14-year -old Indian prodigy dropped one place to joint seventh with three points from two wins and two draws. He now takes on local hopeful Emil Hermansson in the last round in the 10-player Category-13 nine-round tournament.

Meanwhile, Cheparinov (6.5 points) has taken unassailable lead at the top to claim the crown, one-and-half points clear of a group of three players including defending champion Jan Timman of the Netherlands.

Round 8 Result: Jan Timman beat Tiger Hillarp Persson Ivan Cheparinov beat Parimarjan Negi Emil Hermansson beat Erwin l'Ami Vassilios Kotronias beat Jonny Hector Pontus Carlsson drew with Emanuel Berg Standings after Round 8: 1. Ivan Cheparinov (6.5) 2-4. Emanuel Berg, Tiger Hillarp Persson, Jan Timman (5.0) 5. Vassilios Kotronias (4.5) 6. Pontus Carlsson (4.0) 7-8. Erwin l'Ami, Parimarjan Negi (3.0) 9-10. Emil Hermansson, Jonny Hector (2.0) Round 9 Pairings: Emanuel Berg vs Tiger Hillarp Persson Jan Timman vs Ivan Cheparinov Parimarjan Negi vs Emil Hermansson Erwin l'Ami vs Jonny Hector Vassilios Kotronias vs Pontus Carlsson UNI