45th Chess Olympiad R8: Gukesh, Arjun and Vidit ensure India squashes Iran, increase their sole lead

Magnus Carlsen makes an important statement at FIDE100 awards

"Thanks a lot. It feels kind of strange to be receiving this award while I am still an active player. Right now, I am honestly more concerned about Norway's match against Vietnam. As far as I can see, it is still going on. I am of course happy to get this award but in my personal opinion, I still think that Garry Kasparov has had a better career than I have. I understand why I got this award but I still think he is more deserving. I would say at least in Garry's honor, I am sure he would take the opportunity to advice against reinstating the Russian and Belarusian Chess Federation. So that is what I will do as well." - Magnus Carlsen's speech at the FIDE100 awards.

Open: Iran - India: 0.5-3.5

This year GM D Gukesh (2764) remained undefeated against GM Parham Maghsoodloo (2723) in Classical rated games. Gukesh won their encounter at 86th Tata Steel Masters and then drew their next battle at 6th Prague Masters. Parham thrives on complicated positions, so he wanted to create a mess on the board in the middlegam, Gukesh welcomed him.

Parham - Gukesh

Gukesh invited his opponent to take the g7-pawn 23...Ng4! 24.Rd1 Ne7 25.Bxg7 Nf5 a fork in a complicated and sharp position utilizing the existing relative pin and also threatening a discover attack if White takes the g4-knight 26.Qf4 Nxg7 27.Rxb6 White has three pawns for the lost bishop f5 28.h3 Ne5 29.Nc4?? was the final mistake by White Qxc4 30.Rxd8 Rxd8 31.Qxe5 Rd1 32.Rb3 Qf1+ 33.Kf3 Qh1+ 34.Kf4 Rd5 and Black won.

Earlier this year, GM Arjun Erigaisi (2778) played his only Classical rated game against GM Bardiya Daneshvar (2598) at 7th Sharjah Masters. It ended in a draw. Arjun has grown a lot stronger in the past few months and it was evident in this game.

Bardiya - Arjun

Bardiya ignored the propensity of Arjun's chances after 20...Bxh4 21.gxh4 f5 22.Bxd4 cxd4 23.Qc5 f4 24.Rf2 b6 25.Qb4 f3 26.Bf1 Bh5 27.Kh1 Rf6 and Black went on to win the game.

GM Vidit Gujrathi (2720) has never lost a Classical rated game against GM Pouya Idani (2599). That did not change yesterday.

Vidit - Pouya

Pouya ignored something obvious 20.h6 when he played 19...Rc8 Black's pieces lack coordination. So it is not possible for him to launch a proper attack on the queenside. 20...g6 21.Qd2 Nf6 22.Rhe1 Rec7 23.a3 Nd7 24.f4 e5 25.axb4 and White won the game comfortably.

Garry Kasparov voiced his solidarity towards Magnus Carlsen and his thoughts in a tweet: Indeed I would, and do! In more ways than one, I could hardly wish for a better successor than Magnus. It isn't required to have great character to be a great chessplayer, so it is doubly impressive for him to achieve both.

Magnus Carlsen's coach GM Peter Heine Nielsen (DEN) also applauded his efforts

Upsets:

Vietnam - Norway: 2-2

Georgia - Netherlands: 2-2

Italy - Azerbaijan: 2-2

Czech Republic - Moldova: 2-2

Cuba - Israel: 2.5-1.5

Bulgaria - Brazil: 1.5-2.5

Hungary B - Belgium: 2-2

Ireland - Australia: 2-2

Faroe Islands - Switzerland: 2-2

Latvia - Scotland: 1.5-2.5

Women: Poland - India: 1.5-2.5

GM Harika Dronavalli (2502) and GM R Vaishali (2498) lost to IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2490) and GM Monika Socko (2422). IM Divya Deshmukh (2483) scored the sole win of the team against IM Aleksandra Maltsevskaya (2404). IM Vantika Agrawal (2370) was held to a draw by WIM Alicja Sliwicka (2373).

Alina - Harika

In the above position, Harika made the mistake of giving a check 32...Nh4+ 33.Kh2 now Black must allow the exchange of her bishop with her opponent's knight, landing herself in an inferior endgame Rd8 34.Nxd7 Rfxd7 35.hxg4 Black is lost in this endgame. 32...Bf5 33.Nxa8 Bxc2 would have kept things in balance and continued the fight. Harika suffered her first loss in a Classical rated game against Alina in over five years.

Divya seized her opportunity when her opponent, Aleksandra blundered a pawn in a queen and minor piece endgame.

Vantika - Alicja

Vantika had a substantial advantage for the better part of the game. Her last chance was i n the above position. 56.Bc4 threatening a6 would have kept her upper hand. Black cannot take the pawn as Re8+ ends the game in a hurry. Instead, she missed and blundered 56.Qe4 now Qxa5 is safe to capture as Qe8+ no longer has the same effect as it would have had with a rook.

Replay Poland - India games

Upsets

Georgia - Bulgaria: 2-2

Netherlands - Germany: 2-2

Azerbaijan - Italy: 2-2

Iran - Greece: 2.5-1.5

Bangladesh - Sweden: 2.5-1.5

Norway - Mexico: 1.5-2.5

Cuba - Ireland: 2-2

Hungary B - Moldova: 1.5-2.5

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Schedule

Everyday round starts at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST from 11th to 22nd September 2024. The final round on 22nd September starts 11 a.m. IST. Rest day is on 17th September.

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