Chess Olympiad 2024: India's winning run stopped by Uzbekistan in open; Vantika helps women draw vs USA

Uzbekistan brought an end to India’s winning run in the open section at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad as the ninth-round contest ended 2-2 after four draws, while the Indian women’s team was also held 2-2 by the United States of America. In the men’s section, India are still the table leader with a two-point lead over the US, while the women’s team is second, one point behind Kazakhstan, with two more rounds to go.

In the open section match against Uzbekistan, D Gukesh drew against world No 6 Nodirbek Abdusattorov, while Vidit Gujarathi and R Praggnanandhaa played out a draw against Jakhongir Vakhidov and Javokhir Sindarov respectively.

In the last match of round nine, Arjun Erigaisi drew against Shamsiddin Vokhidov as India’s eight-match winning run came to an end.

Indian men’s will face second-placed USA in the 10th round.

In the women’s section, International Master Vantika Agrawal delivered when it mattered most as she defeated Grandmaster Irina Krush, helping India secure a 2-2 draw against the USA.

The Indian think tank rested an out-of-form Grandmaster D Harika but it did not change the fortunes much on the top board as R Vaishali went down to Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova while Divya Deskhmukh played out an easy draw as black against Carissa Yip.

On the fourth board, Tania Sachdev, who had a position of strength, could not find the best attacking moves to force matters and settled for a draw with Alice Lee. This left Vantika to equalise the score and the youngster played with a lot of heart and commitment to beat her higher-rated opponent as black.

The draw took India to 15 points and Kazakhstan overtook them by beating Poland 2.5-1.5.

Indian women face China in the 10th round.

With agency inputs