We are down to one sole perfect 5/5 score in the National Open. IM Bilych was a familiar face atop the leader board in last year’s National Open, and has been impressive this time around as well. Against GM Prraneeth Vuppala he gains an edge in the opening, leverages his open file in the center to gain a grip on queenside and then win a pawn on the kingside with the help of a monster knight posted on d6. By the time Vuppala’s pieces were able to break loose and become active, the lead in position and material was too great, a clean win for the Ukrainian.
GM Ehsan Ghaemmaghami moves into clear 2nd, 4.5/5 after defeating IM Bohdan Bilovil. A solid game was played on both sides in the first two phases of the contest. Time became a factor after queens were traded resulting in a double rook endgame. Ehsan took advantage of the errors made with the grace of a Grandmaster as the game bore on. This is shaping to to be an exciting Round 6
