India Moves Closer To The Tape
By Arvind Aaron

India continued to play like a super top seed. On Tuesday they beat Iran 2.5-0.5 with only Sasikiran being held to a draw by Ghaem Maghami on the top board

in the seventh round. India moved up to 18.5/21 and are 4.5 points ahead of nearest China, 14.  Just two rounds or six games remain to be be completed. Indian
fans will expect a gold medal triumph with a round to spare on December 13.

India beat Mongolia 2.5-0.5, Turkmenistan 3-0, Qatar 2-1, Vietnam 2.5-0.5, China 3-0, Uzbekistan 3-0, Iran 2.5-0.5 and have two more teams to take on.

Sasikiran is on 5.5/6 (drew Maghami), Harikrishna is on 5/6 (two draws with Mongolia and Vietnam) and Humpy is on 5/6 (lost to zhu Chen). Our players have made a big impression and the super power status of Asian chess will never be in doubt thereafter. Sasikiran's all win rampage ended when Maghami blocked to make a draw.

Once the gold medal interest is complete on Wednesday, the three stars can play for consolidating their own Elo gains from the event. Sasikiran has made the most of it followed by the other two.

Standings after seven rounds: 1 India 18.5/21, 2 China 14, 3-4 Indonesia, Kazakhstan 13 each, 5-7 Qatar, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan 12 each...21 teams.