Landa and Smeet share the lead, one round to go in HZ Open

Before entering the final round, GM Jane Smeet and GM Konstantin Landa has emerged as the top candidates for the title, both masters have 7 points each. The pair is followed by six players who all are half a point behind.

After a quick draw GM Evgeny Postny and GM Arkadej Naidisch went to the waiting room and watch the competitors battled for the lead. GM Jan Smeets was wearing the Dutch national football team shirt. The two managed to pass through the German GM Michael Hoffman for his victory. Smeets seemed slightly better, but not everything was easy. Finally Dutch master broke the German defense and got the full point.

The other master who could manage to win, was the Russian GM Konstantin Landa. IM Twan Burg was slowly pushed back, Landa stayed cool and played the endgame of highly quality.

The American GM Yasser Seirawan was thankful to a victory over the German Jochen Dahm in the absence of the leaders, while Erwin L'Ami beat Manuel Bosboom. The Latvian GM Evgeny Svesnikov and German IM Ilya Zaragatski beat Amadeus Eisenbeiser and Christopher Brookes respectively.

Jan Smeets (left) was wearing orange shirt, appropriate for his match against German Michael Hoffmann. Desiree Hamelink could go no wrong with the day. She managed to win her own game, while Feyenoord also posted a victory.

Translated by Waqar Ahmad Madni (www.pakchess.org)