Sasikiran now was in joint lead with three Russians -- GM Shariazhdhnov, GM Grischuk, IM Cherniev -- and GM Greenfeld of Israel in the 11-round Swiss format event.

International Master Saravanan opted for his favourite King's Indian defence and Sasikiran countered with classical variation.

Double GM-norm holder Sasikiran swapped the light square bishops early in the game and took a firm control over the centre and queen side.

Later, in the middle-game, both players exchanged pieces at regular intervals and finally reached a knight against bishop ending. Sasikiran manoevered his knight accurately and carved out a neat victory displaying good knight ending.

In a spectacular encounter, Abhijit Kunte was lucky to escape with a draw against Wippermann of Germany. TheIndian employed Alapin variation against the Sicilian defence and went on a sacrificing spree at the enemy's monarch.

The German defended doggedly and obtained a winning position before erring to allow Kunte level back.

GM Pravin Thipsay, S Kidambi, IWM Anupama Gokhale all drew their second round matches but DV Prasad, who won his opening round match, lost the second. GM norm holder Prasad went down fighting to seventh-seeded GM Alon Greenfeld of Israel from another sharp battle in the Sicilian.

Prasad chose the Richter-Rauzer variation and with both players castling on the opposite sides Prasad went all out by storming his king side pawns to launch a vigorous attack.

But the experienced Greenfled countered briskly on the queen's flank by sacrificing a pawn which led to an inevitable mating attack.

Anupama drew with Saleh Nabil of the United Arab Emirates in an irregular queen pawn opening. Both players came under heavy time scramble and all the minor pieces got exchanged before the peace treaty wassigned.

Junior National champion Kidambi played an impressive game to hold Thipsay to a draw in yet another king's Indian of the day. After a long battle, both players split the point in an equal rook and minor piece ending.

Important Results (Round 2)

Nemet (Switzerland) 1 lost to Shariazhdhnov (Russia) 2; Grischuk (Russia) 1 lost to Cherniev (Russia) 2; Rashkovsky (Russia) 2 bt Handke (Germany) 1; DV Prasad (India) 1 lost to Greenfeld (Israel) 2; K Sasikiran (India) 2 bt V Saravanan (India) 1; S Kidambi (India) 1.5 drew Pravin Thipsay (India) 1.5; Abhijit Kunte (India) 1 drew Wippermann (Germany) 1; Saleh Nabil (UAE) .5 drew with Anupama Gokhale (India) .5