Playing on the top board, Federov played the French defence to outwit Ulibin to consolidate his position in the 11-round Swiss League championship.

In another game, GM Dorian Rogozengo of Moldova drew with Polish GM Wojtkiekz in a hard-fought tussle.

GM Jonathan Speelman signed peace treaty with Russian GM Evegeny Gleizerov while Estonian Grandmaster Jaan Ehlvest had a comfortable victory over Romanian GM Mihail Marim.

In a fine endgame, GM Sergei Dolmatov of Russia blocked second seed Viktor Bologan of Moldova and forced him to share points.

GM norm holder Krishnan Sashikiran suffered a huge setback as he lost against local boy Shankar Roy. Roy, a local star and three IM norms holder played a Caro-Cark Defence game. Sashikiran could not maintain his usual coolness andblundered a piece to lose the game rather tamely.

Indian GM Dibyendu Barua played brilliantly to earn full points by defeating GM Victor Komliakov of Moldova.