Negi back in hunt

India’s Parimarjan Negi finally found his winning ways as he beat Tomike Sanikidze of Georgia in the seventh round to grab the joint second spot at the International Chess Festival Baku Open here.

He is now within half-a-point of the leader and defending champion Sergei Zhigalko. Behind Zhigalko (5.5 points), there are three players including Negi at five.

Asian champion Negi, who is still unbeaten had drawn his last three games, won the seventh round against Georgia’s Sanikidze (2586) to keep his chances of grabbing the Baku title alive.

He now has five points with three wins and four draws and Zhigalko (2667), who beat Anton Korobov (2705), has 5.5 points.