India scored a thrilling 4-2 win over Belgium in their last pool match and set up a semifinal clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions Challenge hockey tournament.

India scored through Dhananjay Mahadik (19th minute), Shivendra Singh (30), Tushar Khandker (48) and Prabhjot Singh (70). Jerome Dekeyser (24 min) and Renaud Pangrazio (25) gave Belgium a 2-1 lead before India struck back.

The victory on Thursday took India to the top of Pool A with seven points. They will meet Pakistan, who came second in Pool B after thrashing South Africa 4-1 in their last match.

Jha, Adhiban at top

Mumbai: Grandmaster-in-waiting Sriram Jha and International Master (IM) B Adhiban registered contrasting draws to retain hold of the top two spots at the end of the 10th round of the 47th Premier National Chess Championship here on Friday.

Adhiban sacrificed an exchange for a pawn but had to return the pawn as the game reached an equal position against Vidit Gujrathi of Maharashtra, while Jha was locked in a lengthy tactical battle with top seed GN Gopal which also ended in a draw. Adhiban continued to lead the table with eight points with Jha half-point behind at the second spot.

Harika in joint lead

Chennai: Top seeded IM D Harika registered a fluent win to jump to the joint lead with WGM Meenakshi Subbaraman at the end of the 10th and penultimate round of the 36th National Women Premier Chess Championship.

Both have eight points. Meenakshi's winning streak was halted by Priya (TN) who held her to a long fought draw in 93 moves. Harika had earlier defeated R Bharathi (TN) and Meenakshi had to win to maintain the lead.