46th Chess Olympiad R9: Gukesh Shines Under Pressure as India Takes Down Germany; Women Crush Uzbekistan

Open Section: India vs. Germany (2.5-1.5)

It was one of the most exciting and toughest matches for the Indian team. At one point, it was clear that the Indian team couldn't win the match. Gukesh was in a clearly losing position, Arjun and Praggnanandhaa were in an equal position, and Nihal had already drawn his game. It was looking really bad, but Gukesh shone like a diamond under pressure, and from a clearly losing position, he came back and defeated Alexander Donchenko to help the Indian team win the match.

Board 1: R. Praggnanandhaa vs. Vincent Keymer (0.5-0.5)

On the top board, Praggnanandhaa was under some pressure against Vincent Keymer, but he managed to equalise pretty well and had a draw on board 1.

Board 2: Matthias Bluebaum vs. Arjun Erigaisi (0.5-0.5)

It was a crazy game; Arjun sacrificed his piece in the middlegame to create a solid attack, but he was not able to find the accurate continuation, and Bluebaum got an equal position. In the end, Bluebaum managed to repeat, and the game ended in a draw.

Board 3: Nihal Sarin vs. Frederik Svane (0.5-0.5)

Nihal was in serious trouble as Frederik was playing a great game and was putting Nihal under tremendous pressure, but Nihal got one chance, and he capitalised immediately and held a draw.

Position after 26...Qf1

Frederik Svane played Qf1 instead of Qf2, which gave Nihal a chance to play h4 with the idea of h5 and Qg6#. Nihal played h4 immediately, and the whole advantage of black is gone.

Board 4: Alexander Donchenko vs. D. Gukesh (0-1)

What a game, and what a perfect game to know why Gukesh is the current world champion! Gukesh is a fighter, and he showed it today after he kept playing in a completely losing position and kept posing threats to Donchenko. Gukesh got his chance when Donchenko blundered into a tactic, and Gukesh immediately found the move.

Position after 51. Be2

Gukesh found the best move, and he played a brilliant Nf4!! Gukesh won the game after a few moves and helped Team India climb to 2nd place.

Replay India vs. Germany Games

Ranking list after Round 9

In Round 10, the Indian Open team will face Uzbekistan's 2nd team.

Pairings for Round 10

Women's Section: India vs. Uzbekistan (3-1)

India scored a dominating win against Uzbekistan; Koneru Humpy drew her game on the top board. Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal scored wins, and on the 4th board Savitha Shri had her 1st draw after 7 consecutive wins. In the penultimate round, the Indian team will face China.

Board 1: Koneru Humpy vs. Afruza Khamdamova (0.5-0.5)

Koneru Humpy played a solid draw on the top board against Afruza Khamdamova.

Board 2: Tokhirjonova Gulrukhbegim vs. Divya Deshmukh (0-1)

Divya played a beautiful game and found a beautiful sequence to trap Gulrukhbegim's Knight and then converted the game smoothly

Position after 27.Rfe1

Gulrukhbegim made a huge mistake and played Rfe1, which allowed Divya to find a beautiful sequence that starts with Bd5 with the idea of e3 and then trapped the knight on b7.

Board 3: Vantika Agrawal vs. Imomkuzieva Nilufarkhon (1-0)

Vantika converted a drawn rook endgame into a win after she kept her opponent under constant pressure.

Board 4: Karimova Guldona vs. Savitha Shri

Savitha had her 1st draw of the tournament against Guldona, but she is still in 1st place for that individual gold on her Olympiad debut.

Replay India vs. Uzbekistan Games

Ranking list after Round 9

In Round 10, the Indian women’s team will take on China.

Pairings for Round 10

Replay live stream

Format

System: Swiss format, 11 rounds

Team size: 5 players per squad, 4 play each round

Time control: 90 min for 40 moves + 30 min for the rest, with a 30-sec increment from move 1

Important links

Official website, Tournament regulations, Buy tickets

Check out Open Teams, Pairings/Results, Standings

Check out Women's Teams, Pairings/Results, Standings