TEHERAN, AUG 8: India's Ponnuswamy Konguvel (3) went down fighting to International Master Mehmood Lodhi of Pakistan who shot into the lead with three-and-half points at the end of the fourth round of the Asian Zonal Men Chess Championship being played at Teheran, Iran.

Konguvel, playing black, adopted Kings Indian defence and sacrificed a pawn for the initiative on the queenside. Lodhi cleverly exchanged Konguvel's black squared bishop and defended the queenside with his knights. After securing the queenside, the Pakistani shifted his forces towards Konguvel's king.

Facing a central pawn roller and various mating threats, Konguvel conceded defeat after forty moves.

IM Lanka Ravi (3) adopted an irregular system against Jalal Ali's Dutch defence. Ravi showed masterly technique to pocket a full point.

National champion Abhijit Kunte (3) adopted Benko gambit, sacrificing a pawn for initiative against M Ghorbani (2) of Iran. Abhijit, won eventually to share the second spot with this victory.

IM K Murugan (2.5) got the better of Fide master Eid Fadi (1.5) of Lebenon.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.