Reigning classical world champion D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and world No.1 Magnus Carlsen were among the leaders after the first five rounds on the opening day of the FIDE World Rapid Championships here on Thursday. The trio shared the top spot on 4.5 points alongside Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Vladislav Artemiev. Carlsen was in great form on day one winning the four games easily but he was held to a draw in the fifth and final round by Erigaisi late on Friday as both ended up on 4.5 points. In the Queen's Gambit Declined, the Norwegian and the young Indian GM went for a line which quickly transitioned into an equal queen and rook endgame. Carlsen did push hard for victory but eventually reached a rook ending where he had had two extra f and h pawns. This theoretically drawn position requires precision from the weaker side which Erigaisi demonstrated, denying Carlsen the perfect score on the opening day. After an unimpressive showing in the Global Chess League in Mumbai recently, .