Uzbekistan made history by becoming the first team to stop India’s winning streak at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in the open section. Both teams scored two points each with four draws in their round 9 match.
Meanwhile, Vantika Agrawal played a crucial role in securing a win for the Indian women’s team as they drew their match against the USA, keeping them in the race for the gold medal.
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Despite the draw, the Indian men’s team still maintains a two-point lead, scoring 17 out of 18 with two rounds remaining, while the women’s team is trailing behind Kazakhstan in overall points with 15 out of 18.
Vidit Gujrathi kicked off the match by drawing against Jakhongir Vakhidov from Uzbekistan, the defending champions. D Gukesh faced Nodirbek Abdusattorov in a closely contested match. R. Praggnanandhaa faced a tough challenge against Javokhir Sindarov but managed to secure a draw. Arjun Erigaisi also fought hard against Shamsiddin Vokhidov but couldn’t capitalize on his chances.
India’s next challenge will be against the top-seeded USA in their upcoming match. A win or draw in this match would bring them one step closer to clinching the gold medal. USA is ranked second after India, with 15 points, followed closely by Uzbekistan and China, who also have 15 points each.
Round 10 is going to be 🎉! #ChessOlympiad
We have the top 2 seeds, 🇮🇳 India (#2) and 🇺🇸 USA (#1), playing against each other, and 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan (#4) facing 🇨🇳 China (#3)!
India are the sole leaders after 9 rounds with 17 points (8 wins and one draw); USA, Uzbekistan, and China… pic.twitter.com/jXasKiXScf
– International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) September 20, 2024
On the other hand, Vantika Agrawal’s win over Irina Krush proved to be crucial for India as they secured a 2-2 draw against the United States of America.
India had a tough time on the top board as R Vaishali was defeated by Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova, while Divya Deshmukh managed to draw against Carissa Yip. Tania Sachdev missed out on converting her strong position into a win and ended up with a draw against Alice Lee. Vantika’s victory leveled the score, showcasing her determination and skill.
With this draw, India now has 15 points, trailing behind Kazakhstan, who has scored 16 points in total. Nine other teams are tied at 14 points each, including powerhouses like China, Poland, USA, and Georgia. In the upcoming round, the Indian women’s team will face China.
(With inputs from PTI)
In conclusion, the FIDE Chess Olympiad has been a thrilling competition so far, with intense matches and surprising results. The battle for the gold medal in both the open and women’s sections is heating up, with India and other top teams fighting hard for the top spot. The resilience and skill displayed by the players have made this event a must-watch for all chess enthusiasts.
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