Indian women assured of a medal in chess in Asian Games

Wed, Nov 24 10 09:22 PM

Guangzhou, Nov 24 (PTI) Indian women virtually assured the country of a medal as they spanked lowly Syria 4-0 to maintain their joint top position along with China with two more rounds to go in the chess team event in the Asian Games here today. Their men counterparts drew with Iran 2.0-2.0 but they are still in the hunt for a medal as they remain on third spot behind China and Philippines. In the women''s section, Tania Sachdev gave India a 1-0 lead with a facile win over much lower-rated Al-Jeldah Fatemah before Eesha Karavade beat Alshikh Kheele Wasila. Meenakshi Subbaraman did not have to sweat much to defeat Mir Mahmoud Afamia to take India 3-0 up. The Syrian team did not field any contestant against Nisha Mohota for the fourth match. After seven rounds, India and China are on joint top with 13 points from six wins and a draw each, four clear of third-placed Uzbekistan (nine). Indian men, however, failed to force a win against lower-rated Iran. Sasikiran Krishnan was the only Indian who scored a win today beating Moradiabadi Elshan while G N Gopal lost to lower rated Golizadeh Asghar. P Harikrishna and Surya Sekhar Ganguly drew their respective matches against Ghaem Maghami and Mahjoob Morteza. After seven rounds, India are on third with nine points behind China (14) and Philippines (12).

Source: Published>