Olympiad: India's gold chances get bleaker despite win in open; women still in hunt
India’s open team stayed in contention for a Chess Olympiad medal after beating England 2.5-1.5, but Uzbekistan’s perfect run has made the gold race increasingly difficult. Meanwhile, the women’s team strengthened their title hopes with a dominant 3.5-0.5 win over Germany, led by Savitha Shri’s sixth straight victory.
India's chances of winning gold at the Chess Olympiad appear to be dwindling despite their victory in the open section, as Nihal Sarin's loss in the Round 6 match against Uzbekistan proved costly. When the players returned for Round 7 on Wednesday, the overall outlook remained largely unchanged. Another potential Uzbek blunder, this time at the hands of a strong Chinese team, also did not materialize, as the host nation secured a 3-1 win.
India's open team also emerged victorious that day. However, the situation did not improve for Nihal, who lost again in a lengthy 88-move game against Luke McShane. McShane's resilient performance ensured the match stayed unresolved until the final moments, ultimately leading to Nihal's resignation. This loss marked Nihal's second defeat at the tournament, where he had previously been a reliable performer.
India currently trails Uzbekistan, who hold a perfect record after seven rounds, and will need to secure a favorable result against Azerbaijan in Round 8 to maintain their chances. Meanwhile, India's women's team, despite Nihal's losses, displayed resilience and maintained a strong presence in the competition.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
