Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran settled for a draw with Danish International Master Palo Davor while GM Viorel Iordachescu of Moldova emerged as the sole leader after recording a smooth victory over Emil Hermansson of Sweden after the second round of the Sigeman chess tournament in Malmo.

Sasikiran, US champion Hikaru Nakamura and Jan Timman of the Netherlands jointly occupy the second spot with 1.5 points each in their kitty while Curt Hansen of Denmark and Swedish duo of Jonny Hector and Tiger Hillarp Persson are next inline on a fifty percent score.

Palo stands 8th on half a point and Sune Berg Hansen of Denmark and Harmansson are yet to open their account in this category-13 event being played on a round-robin basis.

Sasikiran could not do much with his white pieces against Palo who employed the Nimzo Indian defence. He opted for a relatively less played variation in the Leningrad system but was surprised to find Palo well armed.

As the middle game approached as many as three minor pieces changed hands quickly and when Palo guided his forces to the queen side, Sasikiran knew there was no chance to make a real headway. The peace was signed in just 24 moves.

For the second day running, Iordachescu gave an emphatic display. Playing black against Hermansson, the Moldovan was a class act in the Petroff defence that is normally played to secure a balanced position.

Hermansson was taken aback by some resourceful play in the middle game and went berserk when Iordachescu created threats on the king side with a pawn roller followed by a temporary rook sacrifice that ensured victory in 40 moves.

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