Biel Chess: Harikrishna draws with Leko in fifth round

Pentala Harikrishna, playing with black pieces, had to be at his defensive best against Hungary's Peter Leko.

Pentala Harikrishna's staunch defence paid rich dividends and helped him in salvaging half a point from the game.

Indian Grand Master Pentala Harikrishna, after a tough battle, drew with Hungary's Peter Leko in the fifth round of the 50th Biel Chess Festival here.

The world No. 20, playing with black pieces, had to be at his defensive best as the Hungarian piled on the pressure from the start.

However, Harikrishna’s staunch defence paid rich dividends and helped him in salvaging half a point from the game, which lasted 57 moves.

“It was a really tough game but at the end of it I accurately moved my pieces to reach a draw,” the 31-year-old from Guntur said after the game.

Harikrishna has three points so far courtesy a win and four draws, and is placed joint third in the standings.

He will take on the three-time Women’s World Champion, Hou Yifan, in his sixth round encounter of the single round-robin tournament.