Indian Grand Master Pentala Harikrishna put up a spirited performance, but had to settle for a draw against Russia’s Ernesto Inarkeiv in the fourth round of the Moscow FIDE Grand Prix on Tuesday.

The World No. 16, playing with black pieces, started strongly and dominated the initial stages of the game over the Russian Grand Master. However, Harikrishna was unable to capitalise on his solid start, as Ernesto dug deep to force a draw. The game lasted for 47 moves, reported PTI.

“I surprised him with Benoni, a Fianchetto variation and after that move he was just trying to save the game,” Harikrishna said after the match.

“I constantly put pressure on him, but he found the right moves in the crucial stages of the game to lead it towards a draw,” he added.

At the end of the day’s action, Harikrishna has one and a half points so far in this campaign after drawing three and losing just one and is placed 16th on the leader board.