Mardin, Turkey: Grandmaster Koneru Humpy maintained her all-win record as the Indian girls blanked Vietnam 4-0 to maintain the sole second position after the end of the fifth round of the World Women Team Chess Championship on Friday.
With four rounds still to go, China continued to lead the table with 10 match points and the Indians are just one point behind.
For the fourth time in five games, Humpy showed what it takes. Riding high on confidence, the Indian mainstay won an emphatic game with black pieces against Nguyen Pham Le Thao to pave the way for another team victory.
China, meanwhile, scored an astonishing 4-0 victory over Olympiad winner Russia to continue their rampage. This was China's third 4-0 effort in the event and they are only matched by the Indians, who are yet to play tougher matches.
It was, in fact, a day for big victories as Georgia beat Greece 3-1 and Armenia crushed Turkey 3.5-0.5.
With China and India going neck-to-neck, Georgia picked up some pace and are now on seven points. The Russians slipped to fourth spot on six points, a point ahead of Ukraine. The sixth position is jointly held by Armenia, Vietnam and Ukraine on four points, while Greece and South Africa are now firmly at the bottom of the tables.
Humpy faced the English opening and launched an early assault against the white king. Nguyen went wrong in her calculations when she failed to see the full picture behind a piece sacrifice, and it was soon curtains as all of Humpy's pieces came hurtling at the white's king.
On the second board, D Harika came up with an inspired performance to outwit Hoang Thi Bao Tram. It was another English opening wherein Harika's queen side foray decided the issue.
Tania Sachdev cashed in on her chances on the third board in an irregular queen pawn game by Nguyen Thi Mai Hung. Playing black, Tania benefited from a blunder in the middle game and won a piece to score a smooth victory. Y Hoang Thi Nhu also could not match the wily manoeuvres of Padmini Rout on the last board.
The battle for supremacy in the premier women team event will now recommence after a lone rest day.
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