Harikrishna wins to join foursome lead

Jan 02:  Indian grandmaster P Harikrishna recorded his second win, after he outplayed Italian Grandmaster Michele Godena in the second round, against David Narra of Czech republic to join three others in a foursome lead after the end of four rounds in the golden jubilee edition of Reggio Emilio Grandmasters tournament in Italy.

Harikrishna clinched a comprehensive 43-move win over Narra in the nine-round category 16 event. Playing with white Harikrishna started the proceedings on a positive note and never allowed his opponent to get hold of the game.

Harikrishna had a clear pawn and his four pawns were all well placed too in the final game. Narra prepared to accept his defeat when he realised that he had no chance further.

Harikrishna started his campaign in the tournament with a loss to Hungary's Zoltan Almasi, but has picked up 2.5 points since then with two wins and one draw. He now jointly shares the lead with Almasi, Russia's Konstantin Landa and Vugar Gashimov of Azerbaijan.

Almasi and Landa drew their fourth round game and both now are standing on 2.5 points each. They drew after settling in just 18 moves. Mihail Marin of Romania held Gashimov in another short draw of the day. Gashimov now has 2.5 points and is one among the group of four leaders.

While, Switzerland's Viktor Korchnoi played out a draw with China's Ni Hua in 53 moves and Sergei Tiviakov of the Netherlands defeated Michele Godena in mere 29 moves.