The round also witnessed some decisive matches being played out with Israeli GM Igor Khenkin brushing aside GM S Sulskis (Lithuania) and maintaining his lead in the championship with seven points. Igor Novikov (Ukraine) is at the second spot with six points.

IM P Konguvel inched towards his GM norm by beating GM Gleizeror of Russia with black pieces in Grunfeld Defence. Konguvel got a well posted knight in white's territory as compared to his opponent's poorly placed pieces. He combined this with an attack on the white's king and won in 38 moves.

Abhijit Kunte, in his quest for the GM norm, spoiled a good position in time scramble to lose against GM L Ftacnik (Slovakia). In amodern defence, Kunte sacrificed a pawn to put Ftacnik's queen out of play. Ftacnik in return gave an exchange, as both players took risky chances.

However, in the first time control, Kunte blundered and had to defend a two pawns down queen endgame, and finally lost after six hours of play.

D V Prasad scored an easy victory over polish IM B Grabarczyk with black pieces in a King's Indian attack. Rahul Shetty played a very rash game in Ruy Lopez to lose to IM Buturin (Ukraine).

Important results: I Khenkin (7) bt S Sulskis (5.5); Utut Adianto (5.5) drew Z Hiacek (5.5); I Novikov (6) bt E Kengis (5); J Gdanski (4.5) lost to M Krasenkov (5.5); A Beliavsky (5.5) bt P Haba (4.5); T Markowski (5) drew S Movsesian (5); A Kunte (4) lost to L Ftacknik (5); E Gleizerov (4) lost to P Konguvel (5).