Chess Olympiad: Uzbekistan beats India for first time, taking sole lead
Uzbekistan have taken outright control of the Open section at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand after beating defending champions India 2.5–1.5. It is the hosts’ first Olympiad victory over India and leaves them alone at the top with a perfect 12 match points from six rounds.
The decisive result came on board three, where Nodirbek Yakubboev beat Nihal Sarin after the Indian grandmaster blundered his queen in a sharp tactical sequence. Yakubboev converted the advantage to improve his personal score to 4.5/5.
The other three boards were drawn. Nodirbek Abdusattorov split the point with R Praggnanandhaa, Javokhir Sindarov drew Arjun Erigaisi and Shamsiddin Vokhidov held world champion Gukesh Dommaraju.
Read also: Wesley So names Uzbekistan favourite for Chess Olympiad gold
Uzbekistan pull clear as Germany stumble
The result became even more valuable after previously unbeaten Germany lost 3–1 to China. Ding Liren beat Vincent Keymer on the top board, while Xu Xiangyu defeated Alexander Donchenko, lifting China to 11 match points, one behind Uzbekistan. Armenia also moved to 11 after beating Iran 2.5–1.5.
The US recovered with a win over Norway, while Uzbekistan’s second Open team produced another notable result by beating Spain 2.5–1.5. The hosts’ main women’s team had a tougher round, losing 3.5–0.5 to Georgia.
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Tuesday is a rest day. Round seven resumes on Wednesday, with Uzbekistan entering the second half of the tournament as the only Open team still on a perfect match score.
