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Ubekistan wins 3-1 to take overall lead in competitive Open
Javokir Sindarov of Uzbekistan during the ninth round of the 44th Chess Olympiad against Armenia on Sunday. — AFP
Armenia’s incredible eight-game winning streak was stunningly stopped by the young star from Uzbekistan as 16-year-old Javokhir Sindarov delivered the final blow with a ruthless victory over veteran master Samuel Ter-Sahakyan.
In the largest chess tournament in history at the Sheraton Four Points Convention Centre in Mahabalipuram, Chennai, India, Ubekistan won 3-1 to take an overall lead in the competitive Open section.
Sindarov found a formidable ally in GM Jakhongir Vakhidov, 25, who bolstered veteran Robert Hovhannisyan, who is so far undefeated against the black pawns.
With the victory, Uzbekistan is now the only Olympic leader with 16 points, with two rounds to go. They are also the only undefeated team in this tournament.
They will face another young and aspiring team, India B, in their 10th round on Monday.
Wachdorf, who won the title of grandmaster at the age of 12, is expected to become one of the biggest players in the sport.
India’s two highly touted teams, India A and India C, won their ninth round as India B was held by Azerbaijan in a match where player D Gukesh of the match was in front of his adoring man for the first time Held a fan in his hometown of Chennai. The credit for ending the Indian chess prodigy’s winning streak goes to Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.
India A continued the title race with a win over Brazil, who came out on top, while India C beat Paraguay.
India B and Armenia are now tied for second place with 15 points, just one point behind the leaders.
With only two rounds and three medals left, Monday’s pairing is significant. And the stage was set for the Olympic Classic between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The UAE bounced back from a loss to Scotland with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Japan, with both in-form Ibrahim Sultan and Abdulrahman Al Taher winning the match. They play Ecuador on Monday.
With only two rounds remaining, the women’s team has an unprecedented vacancy, with four teams sharing the top spot – India, Poland, Kazakhstan and Georgia.
Poland beat India A 2½:1½ thanks to a thrilling Oliwia Kiolbasa beating IM Vaishali and was the only woman at the Olympics to score a perfect nine.
Meanwhile, female superpowers Ukraine and Georgia faced off to a 2-2 draw.
Nino Batsiashvili defeated Anna Muzychuk while Natalia Buksa defeated Meri Arabidze.
Former Russian deputy prime minister Arkady Dvorkovich was re-elected for a second term as president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on Sunday, defeating a Ukrainian who had criticised him over Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.
As many as 157 of the 179 national chess associations voted to re-elect former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich as president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
One of the best players in the world, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand will start his new role as FIDE Vice-President.
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