The Hyderabadi, playing with white pieces, choose the aggressive route from the word go and the Englishman could not do much and wilted under the pressure to concede the game.
"A few inaccurate moves in the initial stage of the game by Adams, put me in a good position. From there on, I gradually improved my position and won," Harikrishna said after winning the tie.
With this win, the World No. 16 Indian has now maintained his unbeaten run against Adams this year and recorded his second successive victory against him.
After a day's break, Harikrishna will resume his campaign against the Greek GM Boris Gelfland in the next round of this elite tournament.
This event gives the participants a chance to qualify for the Candidates Tournament.