Indian girls rose to joint second spot after upstaging third seeds Ukraine in the 29th Chess Olympiad in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia.
The victory was special on more than a few counts as it put the Indian girls in joint second spot with Russia emerging as the sole leader with a perfect 14/14 score. India will face Russia in the next round.
The Indian girls, who are missing the services of Koneru Humpy, benefitted from top rated D Harika's assault against Kateryna Lahno to come out trumps in the key encounter.
Harika defeated Lahno in a keen contest while the other girls held their own to propel India to the joint second spot with four matches still to play in the Olympiad.
Meanwhile, in the open section, the Indian men let slip a certain victory against Czech Republic. While mainstay Sasikiran came good against David Navara to post a brilliant win, Surya Shekhar Ganguly lost on the third board to concede a much needed parity to the Czech team.
The other two games ended in draws.
While Russia one reigns supreme in the women's section, it is Ukraine on top in the open and past the half-way stage it is only going to be tougher as the days progress.
