The Indian eves came up with a spectacular performance to crush Armenia 3.5-0.5 in the fourth round and take the sole second spot in the World Team Chess Championship Mardin, Turkey.
Grand Master Koneru Humpy yet again provided the much-needed support and defeated top Armenian Elina Danielian while Tania Sachdev and Soumya Swaminathan delivered the goods on the last two boards to ensure an excellent victory.
With this win, the Indians moved to sole second spot behind China that had another good day at the expense of Vietnamese girls. While China moved to a perfect eight match points from their four outings following a 3-1 rout, India remained a point behind.
Georgia held Russia to a draw relegating the latter to the third spot with six rounds still to come in the premier team event for women.
As things stand, Russia with six points, stand third in the standings, a point clear of fourth-placed Georgia. Vietnam and Turkey share the fifth spot on four points each and Ukraine is seventh with three points.
Armenia, Greece and South Africa complete the 10-team line-up a point adrift of each other.
In other matches of the day, Turkey defeated South Africa 3-1 while Ukraine accounted for Greece by a huge 3.5-0.5 margin.
Humpy's inclusion in the team has been a boon. This decision should be lauded following a recent initiative by All India Chess Federation as the difference is there for all to see. This is simply turning out to be a different team in Humpy's presence.
Apart from handling the top board most efficiently thus far with all wins, the world number two woman was also instrumental in providing mental support to team members.
It was another triumph of superior technique for Humpy who faced the Slav defense from Danielian. Catching her opponent early in the middle game Humpy won an exchange for a pawn and reached a won position with some technical difficulties.
However, it was all handled with machine-like precision which netted the full point in 58 moves.
Harika played solidly on the second board to get an easy draw as black against Lilit Mkrtchian from a Sicilian Accelerated Dragon game while Tania contributed excellently with a crushing victory over Lilit Galojan on the third board.
It was another Slav wherein Tania got an opening advantage and nurtured it well to reach a better rook and minor piece endgame. Knocking down a pawn, Tania pushed her twin passers on the queen side to force matters.
On the fourth board for Armenia, Nelly Aginian spoiled an excellent position against Soumya Swaminathan. It was looking very difficult for Soumya after her king side was tormented in the opening but the Indian put up a brave front to eventually turn the tables.
