Mitya Poluektov secured a narrow 3-2 victory over league leader Hugo Herrmann, showcasing strong resilience and skill in a tightly contested match. Despite the loss, Herrmann maintains the top spot with 25 points and just one match remaining, keeping his title hopes alive. Poluektov’s performance boosts his confidence and points tally early in the season, highlighting his potential to climb the standings with six matches still to play. Both players demonstrated commendable sportsmanship and competitive spirit.