The Indian ladies’s group additionally continued their successful streak, with Vaishali Rameshbabu and Vantika Agarwal securing wins with black items, contributing to a 3-1 victory over the formidable Georgian aspect, who had beforehand received the Chess Olympiad in 2008.
After seven rounds, each the Indian males’s and girls’s groups remained undefeated, accumulating 14 factors every and sustaining their place as the only leaders within the event standings.
Within the Open part, Uzbekistan, Iran and Hungary regained their footing by securing victories of their respective matches. Iran triumphed over Vietnam, the group that had beforehand shocked China, with a rating of two.5-1.5. Hungary additionally achieved the identical margin of victory in opposition to Lithuania, whereas Uzbekistan convincingly defeated Ukraine 3-1.
Following a relaxation day, the highlight was on the encounter between India and China because the motion resumed. Followers have been wanting to witness a possible conflict between World Championship closing contenders Ding Liren and Gukesh earlier than their anticipated assembly in Singapore. Nonetheless, the Chinese language group determined to relaxation the reigning World Champion for this spherical, a choice that appeared clever contemplating Liren’s loss to Vietnam’s Le Quang Liem within the sixth spherical.
Though he didn’t face the World Champion, Gukesh proved to be India’s standout performer, securing a victory in opposition to high Chinese language Grandmaster Wei Yi on the primary board. In a closely-matched sport between two gamers with comparable rankings, Gukesh emerged victorious. Regardless of initially holding a slight benefit, the Chinese language GM fought again valiantly and gained the higher hand, however Gukesh in the end prevailed.
Gukesh’s fortunes fluctuated in the course of the sport, however he managed to regain the higher hand with a sequence of correct strikes. Regardless of a fancy endgame, he exploited a couple of inaccuracies by his Chinese language opponent to safe victory after 80 strikes.
Essentially the most important improvement for Indian supporters was the top of Arjun Erigaisi’s good successful streak, though he maintained his unbeaten run after drawing in opposition to Bu Xiangzhi, a former world top-10 participant.
In different matches, R Praggnanandhaa settled for a draw in opposition to Yu Yangi, whereas Pentala Harikrishna, who changed Vidit Gujarathi within the lineup, was held to a draw by lower-ranked Wang Yue.
The Indian ladies’s group continued their spectacular efficiency, securing their seventh consecutive victory by outperforming a formidable Georgian aspect.
Taking part in with black items, Vaishali emerged victorious in opposition to Worldwide Grasp Lela Javakhishvili, whereas Vantika Agarwal triumphed over the higher-rated Bella Khotenashvilli. Dronavalli Harika, on the primary board, settled for a draw in opposition to Nana Dzagnidze, and Divya Deshmukh was held to a draw by Nino Batsiashvili on the third board.
Nonetheless, the wins by Vaishali and Vartika assured that the Indian ladies’s group remained unbeaten within the event.
