Reigning classical World champion D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and world No.1 Magnus Carlsen were among the leaders after the first five rounds on the opening day of the FIDE World Rapid Championships in Doha on Thursday.
Despite impressive wins by D harika and Eesha Karavade, the Indian women's team was forced to settle for a draw against Armenia in the opening round of World Women's team chess championship in Ningbo, China, on Wednesday.
The Indian eves came up with a spectacular performance to crush Armenia 3.5-0.5 in the fourth round and take the sole second spot in the World Team Chess Championship Mardin, Turkey.
Grandmaster Koneru Humpy could not breach Betul Cemre Yildiz's defence and settled for a draw against the lowest ranked local favourite in the third round of the IS Bank Attaturk Fide Women's Grand Prix chess tournament now underway in Istanbul.
The Armenians protested for a long time delaying the start of the second round of matches before withdrawing following rejection of their appeal.