 "D Gukesh will aim for another win as India look to capture gold at Chess Olympiad. Image: PTI via FIDE/Michal Walusza")
The India men’s and women’s teams are one step away from historic gold medal wins at the ongoing 45th Chess Olympiad. India are leading the standings in both the open (men’s) and women’s sections after 10 rounds. The men’s team led by World Championship challenger D Gukesh defeated the United States of America (USA) 2.5-1.5 , while the Indian women’s team also downed China by the same margin as Divya Deshmukh starred in that victory.
The points table leader after 11 rounds will be declared the winner of the Chess Olympiad and the Indian men’s team lead the open section with 19 points while China are in second place. In the women’s section, India lead with 17 points while Kazakhstan are second with the same number of 17 points.
In the final round, the Indian men’s team will face Slovenia while China takes on the USA.
In the women’s section, India face Azerbaijan while Kazakhstan take on third-placed USA.
With just one round to go, we take a look at the scenarios for the Indian men’s and women’s teams as they aim to win a historic gold medal.
Scenarios for Indian men’s team in the Open section:
If India win or draw vs Slovenia: India will be awarded the gold medal regardless of what happens in the China match.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIf India lose to Slovenia: India will win the gold medal if they are beaten by less than a 0-4 margin as they enjoy a better Sonneborn–Berger (SB) tie-break score over China.
If India lose to Slovenia 0-4 but China draw or lose: India will win the gold medal considering the superior SB tie-break score.
How China can win gold?
For this to happen India will have to lose 0-4 against Slovenia and China will have to beat the USA 4-0.
How Indian women’s team can win gold?
Indian women’s team are joint-leaders with 17 points along with Kazakhstan. They face Azerbaijan in their final ties.
Here are the scenarios for the women’s team:
India beat Azerbaijan: India should win gold in such a scenario unless Kazakhstan beat the USA, who are third with 16 points, with a margin of 3.5-0.5.
If India draw vs Azerbaijan and the USA beat Kazakhstan: Considering the USA trail by only one point, they are most likely to win gold in such a scenario.
If India draw vs Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan beat the USA: Kazakhstan will win the gold medal.
If India draw vs Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan also draw vs the USA: India will win gold in such a scenario.
If India lose vs Azerbaijan: India will miss out on the gold medal.
The Round 11 of the 45th Chess Olympiad begins at 2:30 PM IST on Sunday.