India Faces Challenges in Olympiad, Emerges Victorious
The Indian chess team encountered its first significant challenges in the ongoing Olympiad, facing off against formidable opponents Serbia and France. The matches were characterized by extended play, intense competition, and dramatic moments, particularly on the women’s boards.
Tania Sachdev, amidst the chaos surrounding her, opted for an aggressive approach against International Master Natacha Benmesbah. Despite the complexity of her position, she set up a clever trap with e5, forcing her opponent to exchange rooks. Harika Dronavalli skillfully navigated a knight endgame, securing a full point and leading India to a 3.5-0.5 victory over France.
In the Open section, R Praggnanandhaa drew against Serbia’s strongest player, Alexey Sarana, while Arjun Erigaisi maintained his flawless record with a 4/4 score in Budapest. Erigaisi’s consistent performance has been a boon for India, providing a reliable source of points in each match.
The Indian women faced their toughest test yet against the French team. Captain Abhijit Kunte closely monitored the boards of Harika and Divya as the other games concluded. Iranian-French WGM Mitra Hejazipour posed a significant threat, putting Divya under pressure. However, the Indian player displayed resilience and managed to turn the game in her favor, securing a crucial victory.
Beyond the Indian boards, the Olympiad witnessed major upsets. Defending champions Uzbekistan fell to Vietnam, while legendary Vasyl Ivanchuk orchestrated an upset of top seeds USA by Ukraine. Ding Liren, the reigning world champion, drew his game against Armenia’s Haik Martirosyen, dropping to world No.18 in the live ratings.
