Indian Grand Master Pentala Harikrishna staved off a staunch challenge by Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi and held him to a draw in the fifth round of the FIDE Grand Prix chess tournament here.
The World No.22 Indian, playing with white pieces on Monday, started off on the front foot but couldn't find any inroads and both the players decided to share the spoils after 51 moves, as time was running out.
"Today's game was pretty tensed with both sides creating chances, turning it into a very complicated game," Harikrishna said.
"After a sequence of exchanges, we ended up drawn rook endgame," he added.
Harikrishna is tied at the second place with Levon Aronian, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Peter Svidler amassing a total of three points, following the table toppers at a short distance of half a point.
Play will resume on Wednesday after participants take a well deserved day off on Tuesday.
--IANS
tri/dg
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