India on the verge of chess gold

India are on the verge of clinching the gold in chess at the Asian Games as the Grandmaster trio of K Sasikiran, Koneru Humpy and P Harikrishna beat Iran 2.5-0.5 in the seventh round to maintain a huge lead over their nearest rivals in the mixed team's classical swiss event in Doha on Tuesday.

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

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 winners in the eventuality of a clean sweep by their nearest rivals in the last two rounds ties.

India started on a shaky note with Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran finding it tough to have an upper hand over Iranian GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami and it was natural as he opted for a 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.