India thrashed top seeds Hungary to gain sole lead at the end of the fifth round of the World Youth Chess Olympiad being held in Singapore.
With the 3.5-0.5 win over Hungary, India is now sitting pretty with a 1.5 point lead at the halfway stage of this prestigious competition. They now take on Turkey in the sixth round on Thursday.
India's 15.5 points from five rounds among 34 countries came from Adhiban (4/5), Ashwath (2.5/4), S Nitin (3.5/5), Swayams Mishra (1/1) and Shyam Nihil (4.5/5) and the side is followed by Uzbekistan and Turkey with 14 points each and Philippines and Australia (13.5 each).
India made a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan in the morning and then overwhelmed Hungary, conceding only a draw on top board when Adhiban with black pieces was held by higher rated Tamas Foros, according to a release from the All India Chess Federation.
It was an impressive show by R Ashwath of Chennai, S Nitin of Salem and Shyam Nikhil of Madurai, all of whom won against higher rated Hungarian opponents.