Other Grandmasters in the fray, Anthony Miles of England, Alexander Baburin of Ireland and Dibyendu Barua of India won their first round games, after some difficulties.

Gokhale played the Reti opening with white pieces and kept a rock solid position throughout the game. Thipsay tried the thematic queenside breakthrough but could not open the position, thanks to some fine defensive resources of his young opponent. Seeing no way to go for the decisive result, both players signed peace treaty.

Miles was in his element today, making short work of candidate International Master Jayant Gokhale. Playing the white side of a Tarassch Defence employed by Gokhale, Miles took advantage of the weak queenside pawns to use his rooks effectively. An inaccuray in the middlegame cost Gokhale two pawns after which it was child's play forthe former World Championship qualifier. Barua was lucky to score over Tata Steel teammate IM NK Mishra in a Sicilian defence game with white pieces.