PANJIM: Goan masterminds had mixed results on the Day 4 of the 1st Goa International Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament, following the defeat of GM Anurag Mhamal in the Category A, at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao Plateau, on Tuesday.

Mhamal’s exceptional start in the tournament was ended by GM Ter Sahakyan Samvel. Samvel is presently leading the chart at the top while Mhamal has dropped to 19th position at the end of Round 5.

But what’s more interesting is the stunning game played by upcoming Goan chess player Ritviz Parab who compelled GM Abhijit Kunte to hang on to a draw in the fifth round. It was a Sicillian game with a hard-fought battle with 54 moves. This wasn't Ritviz’s first such result as earlier he held GM Deepan Chakkravarthy in the recently concluded Tetrasoft Hyderabad Marriot International Chess. Ritviz has climbed to 44th position with 3.5 points.

At the top, altogether three players are in joint lead at the end of Round 5, Ter Sahakyan Samvel, Idani Pouyo and Sivuk Vitaly who are on five points apiece.

Idano beat GM Stany GA while Sivuk Vitaly continued to showcase his dominance with his fine win over Bangladesh GM Rahman Ziaur.

Top seed Kravtsiv Martyn dropped points once again as he was beaten by GM Babujian Levon. Kravtsiv is on 3.5 points while his Round 5 opponent has 4.5 points.

It was a marathon struggle for India’s Laxman RR who had to bring out his best against Ukrainian GM Tukhaev Adam before managing a win and to move on to 4.5 points.

Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Bhakti Kulkarni was held by Karthik Sai and is on three points.

Meanwhile, Fide Master Ameya Audi came back strongly following his Round 4 defeat and beat Ramkrishna J to move to 55th position with 3.5 points. 

Fide Master Nitish Belurkar also grabbed 3.5 points after beating Soham Datar.

Niraj Saripalli, Om Barde, Colaco Reuban, Umang Kaisary, Wilson Cruz, Devesh Anand Naik, Tanvi Hadkonkar also registered wins in the Round 5. Niraj and Om are on three points at the end of Round 5.