Four players, GM M.S. Thejkumar, A. Augustin, M.P. Ajith and Naveen S. Hegde, with five points from five rounds, shared the lead at the end of five rounds on the first day of the two-day Karnataka State-level Open Rapid Chess Tournament conducted by MDCA under the aegis of UKCA at the University Gymnasium Hall here yesterday.

The two-day Tournament concludes this evening. A total cash prize of Rs.60,000 is in the offing for the winners in the Open section (from 1 to 20 players). In the age category U-7, U-9, U-11, U-15 (boys & girls) top five players will be given trophies.

Earlier, the Tournament was inaugurated by Chengappa, Vice-President, Urs Kars, Mysuru, C. Daljeet Ram, Trustee, Sapient PU College, Mysuru and Dr. P. Krishnaiah, In-charge Director, Dept. of Physical Education, UoM. N. Sudarshan, President, MDCA and Shivarame Gowda, Hon. Secretary, MDCA, were present on the occasion.

The Tournament witnessed participation of 202 players from all across the State.

Two blind and two deaf chess players are also taking part in the Tournament.

Important results: 5th round

Arun Adappa (4) lost to GM M.S. Thejkumar (5), D. Yashas (4.5) drew with L. Vivekananda (4.5), A. Augustin (5) bt Ramachandra Bhat (4), Ojas Kulkarni (4.5) drew with V.P.S.Darshan (4.5), Sudarshan Bhat (4) lost to Naveen S. Hegde (5), M.P. Ajith (5) bt M. Tulsi (4), H.R. Manasa (3.5) lost to J.K. Gautam (4), Lingaraju (Blind) (3) lost to B.M. Prasanna (4), AGM S.M. Raviprakash (4) bt Ravindra Joshi (3), AIM Salian Lakshith (3) lost to L. Seshadri (4).