The Lithuanian grandmaster Valery Kazakouski, who has been leading the tournament from day one, is now half a point ahead (6 out of 7) after beating the Indian player Panda Sambit, while his closest rival, Evgeny Romanov, made a draw with Black against Sergei Tiviakov. Sambit committed a few inaccuracies, after which his pieces were unfortunately placed and eventually he lost a bishop. Fourteen-year-old Indian Dengla Aarav did fine again with a solid draw against grandmaster Dimitri Reinderman.

The sixteen-year-old Bulgarian Nikola Kanov defeated grandmaster Titas Stremavicius in a tactical fight, and Nick Maatman bested the surprise of the tournament, Koen Lambrechts. Six players are now in third place with 5 points: Tiviakov, Aarav, Reinderman, Kanov, Maatman, and finally Rick Lahaye. Lahaye’s draw of today against Jin Yueheng was under discussion. The Chinese player claimed a draw, which was honoured, but later questioned. The Appeals Committee had to look into the matter; their ruling was that the draw stands.