Mixed day for Indians in chess in Asian Games

After an all-win start yesterday, Indians today had a mixed day with both men and women chess players losing to higher-rated opponents in the fourth round in the Asian Games in Guangzhou.

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After an all-win start on Saturday, Indians today had a mixed day with both men and women chess players losing to higher-rated opponents in the fourth round in the Asian Games in Guangzhou.

Playing with black, Surya Sekhar Ganguly lost to higher rated Le Quang Liem of Vietnam while Sasikiran Krishnan drew with Filippov Anton of Uzbekistan in the men's individual fourth round matches.

Earlier in the day, both the Indian Grandmasters, playing with white, had won their respective third round matches against lower-ranked opponents. Sasikiran had defeated Al-Modiahki Mohamad of Qatar while Ganguly beat Sadvakasov Darmen of Kazakhstan.

The two Indians are in joint fourth on three points, along with six others, behind Le Quang Liem (4 points) and Kasimdzhanov Rustam of Uzbekistan and Bu Xiangzhi of China -- both on 3.5 points.

In the women's section, both Indians Tania Sachdev and Harika Dronavalli were on joint third with three points each after the fourth round.

Harika beat Dauletova Gulmira of Kazakhstan with white pieces while Tania Sachdev, also playing with white, lost to higher rated Zhao Xue of China.

Earlier in the third round, Tania and Harika -- both playing with black pieces -- had beaten Nakhbayeva Guliskh of Kazakhstan and Muminova Nafisa of Uzbekistan.

The Chinese duo of Hou Yifan and Zhao Xue were sitting jointly on the top with four points each.