India triumphs thanks to Tania: In Round 4, the women’s team from India defeated France, and in the Open section, Arjun Erigaisi led India to a perfect 4/4 victory over Serbia.
Bengaluru: As the Olympiad enters its fourth round, tensions are beginning to build. India faced its first real challenges in France and Serbia. There was a good deal of drama in the lengthier, more aggressive games, especially on the women’s boards for India.
With turmoil around her, Tania Sachdev made the bold decision to challenge International Master Natacha Benmesbah head-on. “Divya’s (Deshmukh) board was the only one I could see, and it looked weird. Harika’s board was also too off. Tania said on the Chessbase India broadcast that she would play her position despite its complexity following her victory with the Black pieces.
With a clever move on e5, the Indian forced her opponent to exchange rooks. India defeated France 3.5–0.5 after Harika Dronavalli skillfully maneuvered a knight endgame to a full point.
R Praggnanandhaa on Board 2 drew with Alexey Sarana, the team’s best Serbian player, in the Open section. The Russian-born GM took home the European individual title from the previous year. In Budapest, teammate Arjun Erigaisi achieved a perfect 4/4.
India triumphs thanks to Tania:
Erigaisi triumphs.
Arjun has so far been the stuff of Indian dreams on Board 3. Praise should be given to Captain Srinath Narayanan for his choice to start the top-ranked player in India and the fourth player in the world in a position that allows him to take chances, play risk-taking chess, go for the kill, and be a reliable player who can score a complete point in every match.
The French team presented the Indian women with their toughest challenge to date. Captain Abhijit Kunte strolled back and forth between Divya and Harika’s boards while the other games came to an end and the expansive gaming area gradually cleared out. The main adversary was the French-Iranian WGM Mitra Hejazipour, who caused havoc and put Divya in danger. The Indian persisted and succeeded in turning the tide to win.
There were significant upsets outside of the Indian boards. Vietnam defeated the defending champions Uzbekistan, and legendary player Vasyl Ivanchuk found the game-changing 47.h5! to defeat Wesley So and help his native Ukraine shock the top-seeded United States.
After drawing with Haik Martirosyen of Armenia, Ding Liren fell to world No. 18 in the live rankings, behind Hans Niemann. The current world champion is still looking for his first Olympiad victory after three straight ties.
Women (France vs India)
Deimante Daulyte-Cornette was defeated by Harika Dronavalli.
Drawings by Sophie Milliet R Vaishali
Divya Deshmukh triumphed over Hejazipour Mitra
Tania Sachdev defeated Natacha Benmesbah.
Open (Serbia vs. India)
D Gukesh vs. Alexandra Predke (match still ongoing)
Drawing by R Praggnanandhaa Sarana Alexey
Ivic Velimar vs. Vidit Gujrathi vs. Aleksandar Indjic (match still ongoing)
