In a master class performance, Chinese phenom GM Yu Yangyi (2715) took an unassailable 1.5 points lead after a draw with the bottom seed GM Lazaro Batista (2677) over the second placed GM Dimitry Andreikin (2718). Yangyi now moves to 6.5/9.
GM Pavel Eljanov (2718) meanwhile slipped up in his game with the top seed GM Leinier Dominguez (2746) of Cuba to slip to third place with 4.5/9.
Standings after Round 9
| Rank | Name | Score | Elo |
| 1 | Yu, Yangyi | 6.5/9 | 2715 |
| 2 | Andreikin, Dmitry | 5.0/9 | 2718 |
| 3 | Eljanov, Pavel | 4.5/9 | 2718 |
| 4 | Dominguez Perez, Leinier | 4.0/9 | 2746 |
| 5 | Nepomniachtchi, Ian | 3.5/9 | 2720 |
| 6 | Bruzon Batista, Lazaro | 3.5/9 | 2677 |