Indian Chess Team Extends Unbeaten Streak at Olympiad with Victory over Azerbaijan

Indian Chess Team Extends Unbeaten Streak at Olympiad with Victory over Azerbaijan

The Indian men’s chess team continued their impressive run at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, securing a 2.5-1.5 victory over Azerbaijan in the fifth round. The win was spearheaded by in-form stars D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, who extended their unbeaten streak in the tournament.

Gukesh, playing with white pieces on board one, outplayed Aydin Sulemanli in a quick and decisive game. Erigaisi, on board three, also showcased his dominance, overpowering Rauf Mamedov with a similar efficiency.

Praggnanandhaa, on board two, played another draw, but his contribution was crucial in ensuring India’s victory, regardless of the outcome of Vidit Gujrathi’s game against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.

With this victory, the Indian men’s team maintained their perfect record, scoring ten points from five matches. They are now joined by Vietnam, who also continued their impressive performance with a 2.5-1.5 win over Poland.

In the women’s section, Grandmaster D Harika suffered a surprising defeat against Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan, giving the latter an early lead. However, Vantika Agarwal played a strong game on board four, securing a clean victory with white pieces against Alua Nurman. Xeniya Balabayeva and Divya Deshmukh shared the point on board five.

Grandmaster R Vaishali came close to securing a second win for India, but ultimately settled for a draw.

With this result, the Indian women’s team is likely to join Armenia and Mongolia in the lead with ten points.

India Overcomes Challenges, Triumphs in Olympiad

India Overcomes Challenges, Triumphs in Olympiad

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.

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