Samarkand. India won both the open and women’s categories in the second round of the Chess Olympiad on Thursday. In the open category, India had to fight hard to win 2.5-1.5 against Indonesia, while the women’s team registered an easy win by defeating Finland 3.5-0.5.
Praggnanand played 79 moves against R, who was returning after being rested in the first round. Praggnanandhaa played a long match with the black pieces on the top board against Sushanto Megaranto of Indonesia. The game reached an endgame and after 79 moves both players agreed to a draw.
Nihal Sarin gave India its first success. Playing against IM Arif Abdul Hafeez with the white pieces, Nihal gradually increased the pressure and gained a tactical edge in the final stages. Hafiz gave up after 37.Nc5+. This was Nihal’s second consecutive win in the Olympiad.
D. Gukesh could not find a way to win against IM Satriya Duta Chahaya with the black pieces. After the situation became easier, Gukesh kept the match level with continuous queen checks and after 51.Qd1+ it was a draw.
The match between Vidit Gujarathi and IM Nayaka Budhidharma also ended in a draw. Vidit, playing with white, achieved a balanced position and after 34.h3 both players divided the points.
In this way, with one win and three draws, India won the match 2.5-1.5. India had defeated Thailand 3-1 in the first round. In that match, Arjun Erigaysi suffered a shocking defeat on the top board, but the team won.
Divya, Vantika and Savita led the women’s team to victory
In the women’s category, India registered a resounding win against Finland by 3.5-0.5. Vaishali Rameshbabu took charge on the top board as Koneru Humpy was rested in this round. She faced a tough challenge from Anastasia Keinanen and the match was a draw after 88 moves.
The remaining three boards remained in favor of India. Divya Deshmukh defeated Johanna Pasikangas-Tella in 38 moves. Vantika Agarwal registered the fastest win, defeating Sarah-Olivia Cippola in just 22 moves.
Savita Sree B also performed brilliantly, defeating Helja Lehtinen in 31 moves and giving India women’s team a 3.5-0.5 win.
Sindarov defeated the Peruvian player in 32 moves
In the other match, Javokhir Sindarov won with the black pieces in 32 moves against Peru’s Diego Saul Rodri Flores Quias. Sindarov, returning to the team, gradually took control of the situation and then intensified the attack against the Peruvian king.
Flores Quias continued to go on the defensive and eventually gave up the fight after finding no way out of the pressure.