In fact, Vitaly Sivuk did Popov a favour by holding Czebe in 30 moves on the second board. After Popov’s loss, a victory for Czebe would have given him the title. M.R. Lalith Babu justified his presence in the event as the highest-rated Indian and defeated Ukraine’s Yuri Solodovnichenko in 68 moves to be among the six players tied for the fourth spot with 7.5 points.
Popov claims 14th Delhi International Open chess title
Russia’s Ivan Popov suffered a surprise last-round loss but was not to be denied the 14th Delhi International Open chess title. Popov claimed the winner’s trophy and Rs. three lakh. Ukraine’s Valeriy Neverov inflicted a 43-move defeat with white pieces to force a three-way tie at eight points. But Popov clinched the title on a superior tie-break score ahead of runner-up Hungarian Attila Czebe and third-placed Neverov.
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