Chess Olympiad: Uzbekistan knock China out on their way to finals
Uzbekistan keeps marching towards the home-hosted FIDE Chess Olympiad after beating China 3-1 in Samarkand, opening up a two-point lead at the top of the Open section. Throughout seven rounds, the hosts have won every team match and have yet to lose an individual game.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nodirbek Abdusattorov beat former world champion Ding Liren on the top board, and Nodirbek Yakubboev defeated Yu Yangyi. Javokhir Sindarov had a draw with Wei Yi, and Mukhiddin Madaminov shared the point with Xu Xiangyu.
This is Uzbekistan’s biggest result so far against the team that started the round as one of their closest challengers.
Rustam Kasimdzhanov’s team can have at most 14 match points and 22.5 board points after seven rounds. Having not lost a single match in 28 encounters, Uzbekistan’s record stands at 17 wins and 11 draws.
Read more: Polymarket favours Uzbekistan for Chess Olympiad gold and Sindarov for Gukesh’s title
Two Nodirbeks keep Uzbekistan clear
The China victory followed Uzbekistan’s 2.5–1.5 win over defending champions India in round six, where Yakubboev again delivered the decisive point. Before that, the hosts had beaten Jamaica, Peru, Austria, Türkiye and Hungary.
Uzbekistan now lead five teams — the Netherlands, India, Germany, Azerbaijan and Armenia — by two match points. China have now slipped to 11th place. That cushion means the hosts would remain level for the lead even if they lose their next match.
Sindarov, meanwhile, remains unbeaten individually with 4.5 points from six games, comprising three wins and three draws.
Read more: Chess Olympiad: Uzbekistan beats India for first time, takes sole lead
Germany are next
Round eight brings another major test as Uzbekistan face fifth-seeded Germany, one of the teams sitting on 12 match points. India meet Azerbaijan while the Netherlands play Armenia, meaning the chasing pack will take points from each other.
Uzbekistan’s second Open team also impressed on Wednesday, holding ninth-seeded France 2–2, while Uzbekistan-3 beat South Africa 3–1.
The backstory: «Great feeling to beat USA»: Svane defeats Niemann as Germany joins Chess Olympiad lead
The women’s first team recovered from its round-six loss to Georgia with a 3.5–0.5 victory over Slovenia. Uzbekistan sit ninth with 11 match points, two behind joint leaders China and Kazakhstan.
