India on the verge of chess gold

Doha, Dec 12 (UNI) India are on the verge of clinching a chess Gold as the Grandmaster trio of K Sasikiran, Koneru Humpy and P Harikrishna beat Iran 2.5-.5 in the seventh round to maintain a huge lead over their nearest rivals in the mixed team's classical swiss event at the Asian Games here today.

With this win, India have collected 18.5 points so far, 4.5 points ahead of second-placed China, who thrashed Vietnam 3-0 today.

Indonesia and Kazakhstan are joint third with 13 points in the nine-round competition.

India now need just two points out of possible six to emerge clear winner in the eventuality of clean sweep by their nearest rivals in the last two rounds ties.

India started on the shaky note with Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran finding it tough to have an upper hand over GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami and the Indian settled for a safe draw.

But, Pentala Harikrishna kept India's favourite tag intact with a fluent victory over Elshan Moradiabadi and Grandmaster Koneru Humpy continued her fine form in the tournament to come out with an easy win against Atousa Pourkashiyan to round off the tally.

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