Top woman player S Vijayalakshmi scored a lucky win against Battsetseg while Swati Ghate outwitted Anchimeg Banganmunkh in the Sicilian Paulsen variation. Safira Shanaz drew with Maji Gursen.

In the men's event, Grandmaster Norm holder DV Prasad held Chinese GM Liang Jinrong to a draw on third board. Prasad, the Indian skipper here, chose the Sicilian defence and his opponent countered with the Alapin variation.

Liang Jinrong chose a quiet line and Prasad soon obtained equality after saddling his opponent with a weak `D' Pawn. The Chinese player traded all the major pieces and though Prasad had a minor advantage, the resulting opposite bishop ending offered no chance for either side and draw was agreed.

GB Prakash (India) held China's IM ZhangPengxiong on the fourth board. The Chinese chose the Budapest gambit against Prakash's queen-pawn opening and forced a draw by repetition of the opening phase.

GM Zhang Zhong (China) bundled out former National champion Abhijit Kunte in just 19 moves. Kunte, with white pieces, had to encounter the king's Indian defence. The Indian youngster conceded his bishop, which was a strategical error. The Chinese drummed up a powerful attack on queen's flank to win a piece and the game.

GM Ye Jiang Chuan (China) defeated National champion K Sasikiran, outplaying him in the white side of Ruy Lopez open variation.

Philippines shot into the lead with 10.5 points after thrashing Singapore 3.5-0.5.

RESULTS

Men's (3rd round): Philippine bt Singapore 3.5-0.5, China A bt India 3-1, Kazhakistan bt Iran 2.5-1.5, Vietnam lost to Indonesia 1.5-2.5, Tajikistan lost to Uzbekistan 0-4, China B bt China C 3.5-0.5, New Zealand lost to Mongolia 0-4, Malaysia bt Macau 3-1

Women's (2nd round): Uzbekistan lost toChina A 0.5-2.5, India bt Mongolia 2.5-0.5