The Indians, who shot into the lead with a 3.5-0.5 victory against Iran in the previous round, have logged 18.5 points from seven rounds. China `A', a 2.5-1.5 victor against Vietnam, was placed second, half a point behind.

National `A' champion Krishnan Sasikiran was outplayed by former Asian junior champion Wu Wenzin on the top board. The Chinese employed the advance variation against the Caro Kann Defence and obtained a lethal grip on the king side.

Sasikiran sacrificed an exchange to extricate himself from a cramped position but the Chinese player played with great precision to score a hard-earned victory.

Double GM norm holder Abhijit Kunte played a fine positional game against Nu Hua on the second board but committed an error by choosing a wrong plan which allowed his opponent to equalise. Though Abhijit madea desperate bid in the rook and pawn ending, he was unable to get a breakthrough and signed the peace treaty after 50 moves.

Grandmaster norm holder DV Prasad was held to a draw on the third board by Dushan. But International Master GB Prakash neutralised the scores with a sensational victory on the fourth board against Lui Wei. Prakash made a positional pawn sacrifice and later unleashed a pretty tactical shot which netted two pawns and the game.

The Indian team which is seeded fourth has done exceedingly well till now and if they manage to beat third-seeded Uzbekistan in the crucial encounter tomorrow, they will be giving arch rivals and top seed China `A' a stiff fight for the championship title.