
Chess Olympiad: Indian in with a chance for historic twin gold
The Hindu
India excels in Chess Olympiad with chances of gold in both sections, led by Gukesh and Deshmukh.
India will go into Sunday’s (September 22, 2024) final round of the Chess Olympiad in Budapest with chances of striking gold in both the open and women’s sections.
The second-seeded Indian men shocked the top seed United States 2.5-1.5, to retain their two-point lead. They have 19 points, out of a maximum 20.
India’s win was spearheaded by D. Gukesh, who turned the table on the World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana on the top board. The 18-year-old from Chennai has been in top form in the same tournament, continuing from where he left off at the last Olympiad, which India had hosted in 2022.
It was Arjun Erigaisi who ensured India’s victory against the Americans. He beat Leinier Domínguez on the third board.
R. Praggnanandhaa had lost on the second board to Wesley So. On the fourth board, Vidit Gujrathi held Levon Aronian to a draw.
The Indian women bounced back to the joint lead after beating China 2.5-1.5. Not for the first time, it was Divya Deshmukh who turned out to be the heroine for the top seed.
She scored India’s lone victory, as she prevailed over Ni Shiqun on the third board.