Harikrishna moves into the lead

Grandmaster norm holder IM Pendyala Harikrishna of India joined the leaders, on 2.5 points, after the third round of the Corus Grandmaster's Group `B' tournament being held simultaneously with the main event in Wijk Ann Zee, The Netherlands.

Playing white against IM Erik Hoeksema of The Netherlands, Harikrishna displayed class to emerge victorious from a simple middlegame that arose from a side variation of the Queen's Indian defence.

In the middlegame, Hoeksema erred by opting for passive manoeuvres and allowed Harikrishna to obtain a passed pawn on the kingside. Harikrishna sacrificed an exchange and got two pawns in return to romp home easily.

Grandmaster Friso Nijboer of The Netherlands and GM Boris Gulko of USA played a draw among themselves to remain in the lead along with Harikrishna.

Important results of Round 3: P Harikrishana 2.5 beat E Hoeksema 0; F Nijboer 2.5 drew B Gulko 2.5; V Yge 2 beat B Manuel1 .5; T Luther 1.5 beat Vink Nico 0; De Vreugt, Dennis 1 drew Van der Weide, Karel 1.5; R Teimour 1 lost to M Gurevich 2.