Down the lead-line were -- RB Ramesh (5), who stunned GM Pravin Thipsay (3) and Abhijit Kunte (4.5), who accounted for Shankar Roy (1).

Sasikiran, playing black against Mishra's queen pawn opening showed his dexterity in the Grunfeld defence. On move 16 Mishra played his bishop to a6 to prevent Sasikiran's rook from challenging the c-file, but the latter surprised him by moving his b6 pawn to b5 and threatened to win the bishop on a6. After two moves, Mishra was forced to lose the exchange. Sasikiran cleverly exchanged pieces and cashing on his advantage of exchange, won the game on move 54.

Thipsay succumbed to the time pressure again. He employed his pet Sicilian Defence (Paulsen variation) against Ramesh's (5) King pawn opening.Despite fortifying his position solidly, the GM failed in overcoming the pressure which kept on increasing because of rival's well-planned attack on his King. Thipsay resigned on the 37th move.

IM-norm holder Anup Deshmukh registered an easy win over DV Prasad in 53 moves while V Saravanan succumbed to GB Prakash, resigning after 37 moves.

Tejas Bakre squandered an opportunity of beating TS Ravi and let the opponent escape with a draw by perpetual check. IM V Koshy too was lucky to draw his game against Suvrajit Shah.

The encounter between International Masters Ravi Hegde and P Konguvel ended in a draw after the former missed some winning chances. Tomorrow is a rest day.

Results (Round 6): NK Mishra (2.5) lost to K Sasikiran (5.5), RB Ramesh (5) bt PM Thipsay (3), Abhijit Kunte (4.5) bt Shankar Roy (1), GB Prakash (3.5) bt V Sarvanan (3), Neelotpal Das (3.5) bt SK Rathore (2.5), Anup Deshmukh (3) bt D V Prasad (2), T S Ravi (3) drew with Tejas Bhakre (2.5), Suvrajit Saha (2.5) drew with V Koshy(2.5), P Konguvel (2.5) drew with RG Hegde (2).