CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: India missed the chance to move closer to the top at the Chess Olympiad after being held to a 2-2 draw.
Samarkand. The Indian men's team had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Azerbaijan in the eighth round of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad. With this result, India missed an opportunity to move closer to the top spot. All four Indian players – R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, D Gukesh and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi – drew their games.
All eyes were on the game between D Gukesh and Azerbaijan's Mahammad Muradli. Gukesh tried to apply pressure with the white pieces, but Muradli defended strongly and forced a draw after 56 moves. Praggnanandhaa shared the point with Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Arjun drew with Aydin Suleymanli, and Vidit split the point with Rauf Mamedov.
In the same round, Germany defeated leaders Uzbekistan 2.5-1.5. Despite that result, India could not take full advantage. After eight rounds, Uzbekistan and Germany are jointly on top with 14 match points each, while India are jointly in second place with 13 points.
In the women's section too, the Indian team drew 2-2 against Kazakhstan. B Savitha Shri registered her seventh consecutive win to bring India level in the match. Vaishali Rameshbabu suffered a defeat, while Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh drew their games.
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