PANAJI: Niraj Saripalli emerged the sole leader with 4.5 points at the end of round five of U-17 state selection chess at Shri Datta Mandir Hall, Nagorcem,Canacona. Niraj led with 4.5 points followed by Akhilesh Rai, Vivek Shetye, Omkar Damle, Saeesh Bandodkar, Vagesh Tendulkar, Abhisekh Shivothaya and Tatvesh Savant with 4 points. In the girls category Aishwarya Thorat is in the lead with Gauri Hadkonkar.