Sharjah: Aravindh sole leader after beating Salem

Aravindh Chithambaram became the first sole leader at the 2024 Sharjah Masters after beating Saleh Salem in Saturday’s fifth round. The 24-year-old Indian GM has so far collected 4½ points and stands a half point ahead of a 4-player chasing pack consisting of Amin Tabatabaei, Hans Niemann, Sam Shankland and Bardiya Daneshvar. Aravindh is set to face Shankland with black on Sunday. | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy