Uzbekistan hands India its first loss; women beat USA

In perhaps the most anticipated match at the Chess Olympiad, India went down to Uzbekistan 1.5-2.5 at Samarkand on Monday. It was not just the clash between the world’s two strongest nations in terms of young chess talent, but the one between the defending champion and the host.

It was India’s first defeat in the competition, after registering five consecutive wins. The Indian women, however, bounced back after their disappointing loss in the previous round; they beat the United States 3-1.

The much-needed victory was fashioned by Vantika Agrawal and B. Savitha Shri, after Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh drew their games on the top two boards. It was Savitha’s fifth win in as many games; she was rested in India’s defeat to Poland in the previous round. She beat Rose Atwell, while Vantika overcame Irina Krush in a long game, converting her advantageous position with patience, in 65 moves.

In the open section, it was Nihal Sarin’s defeat on the third board to Nodirbek Yakubboev that proved costly for India. Nihal had been playing rather well though, until he blundered on the 37th move with his knight, after which he was doomed. He continued to wage a losing battle until he resigned on the 54th move.

The other games, including the one on the second board between Arjun Erigaisi and Javokhir Sindarov, were drawn. Going into Tuesday’s rest day, India is in the joint second position in both the open and women’s sections.

Important results (sixth round): Open: Uzbekistan bt India 2.5-1.5 (R. Praggnanandhaa drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov; Arjun Erigaisi drew with Javokhir Sindarov; Nihal Sarin lost to Nodirbek Yakubboev; D. Gukesh drew with Shamsiddin Vokhidov).

China bt Germany 3-1; England drew with France 2-2; USA bt Norway 2.5-1.5; Armenia bt Iran 2.5-1.5; Azerbaijan bt Argentina 2.5-1.5; Uzbekistan (2) bt Spain 1.5; Hungary drew with Romania 2-2; Netherlands bt Israel 4-0; Bulgaria bt Ukraine 2.5-1.5; Uzbekistan (2) bt Spain 2.5-1.5; Switzerland bt Turkiye 3-1; Belarus drew with Poland 2-2; Greece bt Indonesia 3.5-0.5.

Women: India bt USA 3-1 (Koneru Humpy drew with Carissa Yip; Divya Deshmukh drew with Alice Lee; Vantika Agrawal bt Irina Krush; B. Savitha Shri bt Rose Atwell).

Georgia bt Uzbekistan 3.5-0.5; Kazakhstan bt Azerbaijan 2.5-1.5; China bt Poland 3.5-0.5; France bt Vietnam 4-0; Ukraine bt England 2.5-1.5; Germany bt Romania 2.5-1.5; Netherlands drew with Slovenia 2-2; Serbia drew with Turkiye 2-2; Mongolia bt Iran 3-1; Armenia bt Latvia 3-1; Switzerland bt Italy 3-1; Belarus drew with Hungary 2-2.