KARACHI, April 12: Candyland and Data Steel gained early lead in the qualifying phase of the Super Marathon bridge tournament at the Aslam Memorial Bridge Hall on Friday evening.

Candyland are occupying the top slot with 42 victory points (VPs) whereas Data Steel have scored 40 VPs in the 15-team contest.

According to the format, seven rounds of the Swiss Movement will be played for the Super Marathon bridge tournament. Four top teams will play a semi-final of 20 boards and final of 36 boards on Sunday.

The event serves as a warm-up session for Candyland and Data Steel which will participate in the fourth Saarc bridge championship in Colombo, Sri Lanka, later this month.

As Inbox abstain from the contest, it seems a wide open tournament for Candyland and Data Steel, with Solox, Giants, Nerds and PSO as the underdogs.

When play started in the first round, Data Steel edged past Giants, while Candyland had the easy session against Mushahid.

The two winners met each other in the third round in which Candyland won by scoring 16 VPs and conceding 14 VPs.

Candyland comprises Mohammad Ismail, Mubashir Puri, Hamed Mohiuddin, Ziaullah Baig and Khaled Mohiuddin. Hasan Askari may join the team in the later part of the tournament.

Data Steel consists of Tariq Rasheed Khan, M.A. Ansari, Tehsin Gheewala, Rashid-ul-Ghazi and Pervaiz Mirza.

Aces, Nerds, Hyderabad and Four Bidders are the other teams having good chance to qualify for the semis.

Nerds with Asghar Naqvi,

A.K. Bhurgri, Reza Naqvi, Mazhar Ali Khan and Shoaib Khan in their fold are strong contenders. They won two matches.

—Agencies