Negi facing a strong opponent from Azerbaijan, Gadir Guseinov drew in just 16 moves with black pieces even as the matches on the top three boards ended in draws.
Esen and Safarli also ended with draws as did Anton Korobov and Rauf Mamedov.
While Esen and Safarli have 3.5 points each, Negi along with Korobov, Vasif Durabayli, Evgeny Alekseev, Gulnar Mamadova, defending champion, Segei Zhigalko and four others has three points.
In the fifth round, the Asian champion Negi has an interesting pairing against the leader, Esen and the Indian will have white pieces.
"I am looking forward to the game," said Negi, who will play on the second board.
On the top board, the top seed Anton Korobov (2705), with three points, will take on Safarli.
The tournament, which will conclude on October 1, carries a purse of USD 50,000 and the winner would take home USD 10,000 in this nine-round Swiss competition.
The winner last year was Belarussian Sergei Zhigalko, who is currently tied eighth with two points from one win and two draws.
