Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi comfortably defeated compatriot Harsha Bharathakodi in just 42 moves to take the sole second position behind world champion Magnus Carlsen after the sixth round of the Isle of Man International Chess tournament on Thursday.
Gujrathi, who had to settle for a draw against GM Aleksandr Lenderman in the earlier round, had little trouble in driving home the advantage after taking control in the middle game and now has five points from a possible six.
He will now face Carlsen, who defeated Pavel Eljanov in the sixth round in just 27 moves to take his points tally to 5.5.
Among other Indians, former world champion Viswanathan Anand got the better of SP Sethuraman in 51 moves to take the joint third position along with 17 others with 4.5 points. Also joining him in the group was Swapnil Dhopade, who managed to end a three-game draw streak to beat Norwegian GM Aryan Tari.
GM D Harika also returned to the winning ways after two consecutive loses when she defeated English WGM Jovanka Houska in a semi-slav opening.