Belarus Grand Master Yuri Shulman earned a solo lead in the 4th United Insurance Grand Masters Chess Tournament with a draw against Indian International Master Avijit Kunte in the penultimate round at the NSC conference room yesterday morning.

Playing with white pieces against the Sicilian defence of Kunte. the match ended after only 21 moves when the two opponents shook hands without going into further complicacy.

The young Belarus Grand Master needs only a victory in today's final round against teenager Indian International Master Neelotpal Das to bag the champion's purse of US$ 2,000.

With yesterday's draw, Shulman raised his personal tally to eight points, half a point more than former world runner-up and England Grand Master Nigel Short, who had a rest day on Tuesday. Both players have played 11 games each. If Short wins his final round clash against Hungarian Grand Master Peter Szkeley and Shulman manages a draw, the winner of the meet will be decided through tie breakers.

The day's most notable per-formance came from Bangladesh International Master Ziaur Rahman, who upset Polish Grand Master Alek-

sander Wojtkiewicz in the penultimate round. Playing with whites, Zia took only 25 moves to break the Sicilian defence of Wojtkiewicz who. despite the defeat, remained in the crowded third spot along with Estonian Grand Master Jaan Ehlvest and Uzbekistan Grand Master Sergei Zagrebelny, each having seven points.

Ehlvest. in this round, was beaten by Szkeley while Zagrebelny managed a draw with local out-of-form Grand Master Niaz Murshed.

The day’s other two games— International Master Reefat-bin-Sattar against Indian Neelotpal Das and International Master Abdullah Al-Rakib against FIDE Master Enamul Hossain Rajib also ended in dull draws.

The final round of the 13-player meet involving seven Grand Masters, will start at the same venue today at 10 am.

Standings (all the players have played 11 games except as otherwise mentioned): 8 points--Shulman, 7.5 points—Short, 7 points—Ehlvest. Wojtkiewicz and Zagrebelny. 6.5 points— Zia. 5 points-Kunte, 4.5 points--Reefat and Rakib. 4 points-Niaz, Szkeley and Neelotpal, 3 points—Rajib (12 games).

TODAY’S MATCHES

Kunte v Rakib

Shulman v Neelotpal

Niaz v Reefat

Wojtkiewicz v Zagrebelny Ehlvest v Zia

Short v Szkeley