Sokolov has now won his first three games while Adams has 2.5/3 after grinding down England junior David Howell and the Dutch GM Yge Visser in successive games. Jan Timman and the Dutch number two female player Tea Bosboom-Lanchava also have 2.5/3.
Howell got off the mark with a solid draw against Timman and Jonathan Levitt also broke his duck by drawing with Jan Werle. Peter Wells opened his account with a spectacular victory over Jon Speelman whose customary tactical alertness completely eluded him - this game was to be published around the world and was to win the Tournament Best Game Prize offered by sponsor Jan Mol. Speelman missed several chances to hold the draw but was so stunned by whites shock attack that he could not pull himself together.