DOHA, Dec 7 - They are the silent minority who seem out of place at an Asian Games teeming with athletes from the world's most populous region.

Empty coffee cups and half-finished chocolate bars suggest calories are burnt at frenetic pace.

Instead, though, physical exertion is non-existent and victories are sealed with gentle handshakes and whispered analysis.

Welcome to the world of chess, which is making its Games debut in the Qatari capital.

The tomb-like silence in the brightly-lit hall seems half a globe away from the weightlifting arena next door, which roared with delight the previous day when "Iranian Hercules" Hossain Rezazadeh swept to the superheavy title.

Mobile phones have to be deposited at the counter outside.

The only sound is the click of players stopping their clocks after a move. It is so peaceful yawning officials struggle to keep awake.

Thursday's second round of the team championship, featuring two male and one woman player, finished with favourites India and hosts Qatar, helped by former Chinese world number one woman player Chen Zhu, in joint lead.

There are seven more rounds to go.

Furious action takes place is in the mind. Top chess players are known to work out to keep themselves fit for the arduous mind game.

The chess boards themselves are far from simple, wired and with sensors to display each move on a giant screen.

Players have 90 minutes to complete their moves.

WINNING COUPLE

Chen clinches early victory in her game, then sits munching an apple waiting for husband Mohammad Al-Medaihki on the adjacent table to win his to seal the tie against Indonesia.

"It is great chess is in the Asian Games," the wafer-thin player told Reuters. "I wish it remains for ever."

India's former world champion Viswanath Anand has skipped the event, mainly concerned that reverses against lower-rated opponents could bring down his rating points.

Chen is unconcerned herself, but backed the decision.

"He is a top player," she said. "Sometimes they are invited to major tournaments on the basis of rankings.

"For me, it comes and goes," she added. "I have won most of the events, achieved many things.

"In life you shouldn't ask for more and more."

China suffered a reverse to Uzbekistan, disappointing team official Jianchun Ye, who, however, is happy to see chess in the Games.

"This is important," he said. "The players will also get a lot of publicity in TV and papers."

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