Chess Player Aditya Holds Super Grand Master Draw

Facing a chess player who was far above his level, Aditya played without fear. Even though he was playing with the black chess pieces, Aditya still tried to attack and balance Kuybokarov's game.

Aditya repeatedly blocked Kuybokarov's moves so he wouldn't have an advantage in pressuring the black king. Aditya also didn't hesitate to make sacrifices and exchange officers to equalize the quality.

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The tactic was bothersome for Kuybokarov as he did not have enough advantage to defeat Aditya. Aditya's accurate calculations and tactical steps made the fight evenly matched until the end of the match and they both agreed to a draw.

With that result, Aditya and Kuybokarov both occupy the top of the standings with 2.5 points. For Aditya, who is chasing eight points in the tournament's 11 rounds to achieve the GM norm, this 0.5-point contribution from the draw is still acceptable because there are still eight rounds left. Moreover, the match against Kuybokarov as the toughest opponent has already passed.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's leading chess player GM Novendra Priasmoto also followed suit at the top of the standings with 2.5 points. In the third round, Novendra defeated IM Uurtsaikh Agibileg from Mongolia.

Novendra, who was favored to be the champion in this tournament, pressed Agibileg on the king's wing to gain a positional advantage from the beginning of the match. The combination of attacks with the rook, bishop, and castle put pressure on Agibileg since the middle of the match.

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This draw result is quite positive for Aditya because Kuybokarov is the strongest chess player in this tournament.

Novendra's advantages in position and quality helped him force Agibileg to experience their first defeat in this tournament. With that victory, Novendra reopens his chances of winning the tournament.

In other matches, GM Susanto Megaranto began to consistently be on the winning track after defeating GM Thien Hai Dao from Vietnam. Susanto has collected two points from two wins and one loss from three rounds.

Meanwhile, IM Gilbert Elroy Tarigan and IM Azarya Jodi Setiyaki, who are also pursuing eight tournament points to obtain a GM norm, were held to a draw. Gilbert was held to a draw by IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher and Jodi was held to a draw by IM Liu Xiangyi from Singapore. As of the third round, Gilbert and Jodi have only collected one point.