China-1 blanked Indonesia 4:0 to pull away as pacesetting India was held to another 2:2 draw, this time by Vietnam. In the women’s division, China-1 beat Vietnam 3:1 to firm up their lead in the Asian Nations Cup in Zaozhuang, China.
Chinese GMs Wang Yue, Li Chao, Ding Liren and Yu Yangyi scored the shutout.
GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son of Vietnam beat Hari Krishna but GM Negi evened the score for India with a win over IM Nguyen Van Huy. The other two boards were drawn between GM Sasikiran (above, right) and GM Le Quang Liem (left) on board 1 and between
China-2 was held to a 2:2 draw by Kazakhstan. Chinese GM Zhou Jianchao beat GM Murtas but GM Ismagambetov struck back against GM Wen Yang as the other two boards were drawn.
Singapore outplayed Korea 3:1, Mongolia whitewashed Yemen 3½:½, Iraq outclassed Hong Kong 3:1 while Iran blanked Chinese Taipei 4:0.
In the women’s division, China-1 beat Vietnam 3:1 on wins by Zhao Xue, Ju Wenjun and Huang Qian. Vietnam’s Mai Hung beat Shen Yang to prevent a shutout.
India outclassed Singapore 3½:½ on wins by Tania Sachdev, Mary Ann Gomes and Padmini Rout. WIM Anjela Khegay of Singapore held IM Eesha Karavade to a draw to prevent a shutout.
China-2 blanked Indonesia 4:0. China-3 was held to a 2:2 draw by Iran. Kazakhstan edged Mongolia 2½:1½.
After 7 rounds of the Men's, China-1 leads with 13 match points. India fell further behind with 11 points. Kazakhstan and China-2 are tied with 9 points each.
Vietnam, Singapore and Mongolia trail with 8 points each.
In the women’s, China-1 leads with 14 match points followed by India with 12.
China-2 follows with 10 points and China-3 has 9. Iran is in the middle with 6 points. Indonesia and Kazakhstan trail with 5 points each.
China-1 is a shoo-in for the title as it faces the lower half of the field in the homestretch The penultimate round 8 pairings pit China-1 vs. Singapore, India vs. Mongolila and Vietnam vs. Kazakhstan.
In the women’s 8th round pairings are the crucial matches between China-1 and India and China-2 vs. Iran.
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