Also with Dzhumaev is triple GM norm-holder Abhijeet Gupta. Gupta had a tough time beating GM Elizbar Ubilava of Spain.

Following the leaders are nine in a pack, each on 6.5 points. That pack includes GM norm holders Sriram Jha and G B Prakash.

Ganguly, playing black, was up against an early attack from Dzhumaev, in a Sicilian Rossolimo game. But Ganguly, of Kolkata, kept his cool and, after he had had a Dzhumaev pawn for breakfast, the initiative was back with him. Thereafter Ganguly was ahead all through to win in style.

Abhijeet, too, was playing black, and was up against an irregular opening from Ubilava, actually one of his trainers. In this, he was a trifle lucky, but his technique soon left him with a nearly balanced position.