Sasikiran jumps to top spot after win over Adams

Sofia, May 17 (UNI) Indian Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran climbed to the top spot following his victory over English Grandmaster Michael Adams in Mtel Masters here.

Playing an aggressive game, Sasikiran manoeuvred his troops well and did not let his rival gain the upper hand at any point in the game.

Starting with white pieces, Sasi opened with Queen pawn and following a few theoretical moves thereafter, the game settled for Queen Indian defence.

Very early in the game a few pieces were exchanged but Adams somehow failed to read Sasikiran's moves till he lost his Bishop and Rook. By then the game had slipped out of his hands and he was forced to surrender on the 34th move.

With this win, Sasikiran has 3.5 points and is leading the championship jointly with first half leader Shakriyar Mamedyarov who lost to Gata Kamsky to remain on 3.5 points.

Attired in an Indian kurta pajama, Sasikiran told UNI after his second win in six games, ''I am very happy with this win and feel this is a good start for me in the second half of the tournament.'' UNI