Chess Olympiad: Indian men drub Uzbekistan-2, women draw with China

World champion D Gukesh, GMs Nihal Sarin and R Praggnanandhaa again showed the way as the Indian men scored a comprehensive 3.5-0.5 victory over Uzbekistan-2 in the 10th and penultimate round of the 46th Chess Olympiad now in progress here.

B Savitha Shri ensured the Indian women survived some anxious moments before settling for a 2-2 draw with leaders China to keep their hopes alive.

This was Savitha Shri's eighth victory in the event, coming at the expense of Zhai Mo and the Indian has made a staggering 8.5 points from her nine games.

Meanwhile, in the open section, Uzbekistan-1 continued to remain ahead on 18 points following another comprehensive victory against Armenia. The Uzbeks also scored a 3.5-0.5 victory and they currently look invincible.

The Indian men on 17 are in sole second spot and are well-placed to win the silver medal. However, to repeat their gold medal-winning performance from the last Olympiad, they need to win handsomely and also hope for Uzbekistan to lose their match.

In the women's section, the Chinese also took their tally to 18 points and remain a full point ahead of Kazakhstan, who moved to sole second spot, beating France 2.5-1.5. The Indians eves are on the third spot with 16 points.

Nihal Sarin was the first to score a victory in the match against Uzbekistan-2 as the Indian grabbed a couple of pawns early with his black pieces to force matters against Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov.

GM Gukesh was the next to step in, as Ortik Nigmatov was no match and Arjun, meanwhile, drew on the second board.

Praggnanandhaa finally scored over Jakhongir Vakhidov to complete the victory.

Open results: Uzbekistan-1 (18) beat Armenia (15) 3.5-0.5; India (17) beat Uzbekistan-2 (15) 3.5-0.5 (R Praggnanandhaa beat Jakhongir Vakhidov; Arjun Erigaisi drew with Abdimalik Abdisalimov; Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov lost to Nihal Sarin; Ortik NIgmatov lost to D Gukesh).

Women results: China (18) drew with India (16) 2-2; Koneru Humpy drew with Zhu Jiner; Divya Deshmukh drew with Song Yuxin; Vantika Agrawal lost to Lu Miaoyi; B Savitha Shri beat Zhai Mo; Kazakhstan (17 beat France 2.5-1.5; Mongolia (15) lost to Poland (16) 1-3; Vietnam (16) beat Indonesia (14) 2.5-1.5.- Ends