India, Jan. 8 -- Overnight joint leader Viswanathan Anand lost to Arjun Erigaisi but shared the lead with Nihal Sarin on 4.5 points after six rounds of the Rapid competition in the Tata Steel Chess India here on Thursday. Also on 4.5 points, Kateryna Lagno is the sole leader in the women's section.

Having begun the day with a defeat, Anand bounced back into contention by defeating Hans Niemann and then Volodar Murzin. Sarin beat Niemann, the joint-leader after the first day's matches on Wednesday, Murzin and Vidit Gujarathi.

Against Erigaisi, Anand appeared to be winning in the middlegame but ceded the advantage after a rook blunder. Erigaisi defended patiently before capitalising on an endgame error to secure an important win. A superi...