India Takes A 4.5-Point Lead
By Arvind Aaron

India continues to perform at the upper end of the dream expectations. On December 11, Anand's 37th birthday, the team thrashed Uzbekistan 3-0 at Doha in the Asian Games. "Sasikiran led from the front by checkmating Kasimdzhanov," said AICF Secretary D.V.Sundar on the phone. Six rounds are completed and three remain to be played.

With the white pieces, conservatives expected a 2-1 win. "No, Harikrishna will beat Barsov, I am sure of it," predicted six-time Indian women's champion S.Vijayalakshmi. But Harikrishna was playing black. Humpy was expected to make the difference beating WIM Olga Sabirova and she did. However, the big point came on the top board. Sasikiran beat the former world champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov to push India's team from 2.5 points to a massive 4.5 points.

The scoring should continue since the other opponents are not expected to be at the strength of the Chinese or the Uzbeks. Top seeds are firing on all three cylinders and we are enjoying the momentum. Now, the team gold medal looks certain and most opponents are going to look forward to that draw against India.

The big scoring India would be facing Iran and other teams in the last three rounds. A 4.5-point lead with three rounds or nine games should be enough to hit the tape. At the current scoring rate, the gold medal score could be made with two rounds to spare.

Standings: 1 India 16/18, 2-3 Iran, Qatar 11.5 each, 4 China 11, 5 Kazakhstan 10.5, 6-7 Indonesia, Vietnam 10 each...21 teams.