Daijiworld Media Network - Samarkand
Samarkand, Sep 24: Germany ended Uzbekistan's perfect run at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, defeating the hosts 2.5-1.5 in the eighth round on Thursday, while India's women's team secured a 2-2 draw against Kazakhstan after Savitha Shri registered her seventh consecutive victory.
Germany's victory brought an end to Uzbekistan's seven-match winning streak in the Open section. The German brothers Frederik Svane and Rasmus Svane delivered the crucial wins on the lower boards, defeating Nodirbek Yakubboev and Shamsiddin Vokhidov respectively. Javokhir Sindarov scored Uzbekistan's only win against Matthias Bluebaum, while the remaining game was drawn.
The result left Germany and Uzbekistan level at the top with 14 match points each. India and the Netherlands remained close behind on 13 points, with three rounds still to be played.
India's Open team was held to a 2-2 draw by Azerbaijan. R Praggnanandhaa drew with former world championship challenger Shakhriyar Mamedyarov on the top board, while world champion D Gukesh also shared the point with Azerbaijan's Mahammad Muradli. The other two games also ended in draws.
The result keeps the Open section tightly contested, with several teams within striking distance of the leaders going into the final three rounds.
In the women's section, defending champions India faced a major challenge against Kazakhstan, which had shared the lead with China after seven rounds. The Indian team eventually secured a 2-2 draw, with Savitha Shri once again producing the decisive result.
Koneru Humpy drew with Bibisara Assaubayeva on the top board, while Divya Deshmukh and Meruert Kamalidenova also shared the point. Kazakhstan then appeared set to take the match after Alua Nurman defeated R Vaishali Rameshbabu.
Savitha, however, produced a crucial comeback against 16-year-old Elnaz Kaliakhmet. The Indian International Master converted a seemingly level endgame into a win, completing her seventh victory in as many games and rescuing India from defeat.
The result leaves Savitha with a perfect 7/7 score in the tournament and makes her one of India's standout performers in Samarkand.
Elsewhere, China took sole possession of the women's lead after defeating Poland 2.5-1.5. Zhai Mo produced the decisive result against Lela Javakhishvili with a dramatic mating attack. The victory moved China clear at the top, while Kazakhstan and Mongolia remained one match point behind. India stayed in the leading group after its draw with Kazakhstan.
The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad is being held in Samarkand from September 16 to 27. The tournament features 11 rounds under a Swiss-system format, with five players in each squad and four players competing in every round. Teams receive two match points for a win and one for a draw.