Venkatesh was followed by G N Gopal and Deep Sengupta in the second spot with seven points each.
Venkatesh, playing white against Vidit Gujrathi got active pay on the queenside in a Reti opening but the latter sacrificed the exchange to get counter in the centre. The game was eventually drawn in 25 moves.
G N Gopal won a long game in a rook ending against Anurag Mhamal of Goa in a Ruy Lopez opening.
Deep Sengupta made short work of Sahaj Grover by a brilliant knight sacrifice on the 23rd move in a Slav defence.
Deep got back the piece a few moves later, after which Grover's position went to pieces.
Swapnil Dhopade of Railways went down to G Akash in a Sicilian dragon in 66 moves.
Abhijit Kunte drew against S Arun Prasad in 26 moves by repetition of moves in a queen's pawn opening.
Sundarajan Kidambi was outwitted by world U-12 champion, Murali Kartikeyan in 47 moves in a Sicilian defence.
Meanwhile, 13 year old Aravindh Chithambaram withdrew from the tournament to take part in the National U-13 which begins in Chennai from October 14.
Neelotpal Das took his tally to 6 points with a victory against P Kartikeyan while Mary Ann Gomes drew against Diptayan Ghosh. MORE
