R R Laxman, Neelotpal Das and S Kidambi were other players who were were held to a draw today after having a good first round yesterday, as Indians lost grip on the leaders table.

Sasikiran, India's best hope in the boys' section, lost to Ruud Janssen of The Netherlands in 31 moves of the Nimzo Indian defence while Laxman lost three pawns before going down to Stelios of Greece in 23 moves.

Neelotpal Das held Dabelo Ronaldo of the Philippines to a draw in 50 moves as Kidambi, who had overcome Russian third seed Mikhail Kobalia yesterday, too managed to hold Kalod Radek of the Czech Republic.

Only Asian junior champion Tejas Bakre and Sandipan Chanda recorded wins, their first after losses yesterday, to gain a point each.

In the girls' section, Vijayalakshmi Subburaman remained the only Indian in the leadafter outplaying Huuska Jouanka of England in 55 moves of a queen's gambit declined game.

World under-12 champion Koneru Humpy lost to Xu Juan Juan in Reti opening even as Pallavi Shah, Aarthie Ramaswamy and Meenakshi recorded their first wins.

Pallavi beat Marchodor Clarie of France, Aarthie routed Tania Stummerger of Slovenia and Meenakshi outplayed Penas Yolanda of Spain.

Pratibha beat Riznar Helena while Swathi Mohota lost to Sonia Hewziquus of Portugal. Second seed Zhang Zhong (China), sixth seed Socko Bartoscz (Poland), Ruud Janssen, William Simon (England), Darmen Sadvakasov (Kazhakstan), Halkias Stelius and Banikas Hristodsulus (both Greece), Salmenssu Olli (Finland) and Fedorchuk (Ukraine) led the table with two points each in the boys section.

Top seed Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam was lucky to get away with a draw against Abdulla Al Rakib of Bangladesh in 55 moves after losing two pawns in the Slav defence.

Among the girls, WGM Hoang Thanh Trong, Li Thi, Phuong Lien and Nguyen T (all Vietnam)and Xu Yuan Yuan (China), besides India's Vijayalakshmi, led with two points.