Samarkand, September 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Defending champions India missed an opportunity to move into sole possession of the top spot after being held to a 2-2 draw by Azerbaijan in the eighth round of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
India’s Open team remained in joint second place with 13 match points, while hosts Uzbekistan were joined at the top by Germany on 14 points after the Germans stunned the defending leaders 2.5-1.5.
All four Indian players — R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, D. Gukesh and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi — drew their respective games against Azerbaijan.
The biggest talking point for India was Gukesh’s game against Muradli Mahammad on the third board. Playing White in a Sicilian Najdorf, the reigning World Classical Champion pursued an ambitious queen move but Mahammad found an accurate response and subsequently defended resourcefully.
The game eventually reached a queenless endgame, where Mahammad consolidated the centre and activated his king. Gukesh attempted to generate winning chances by expanding on the queenside, but the Azerbaijani held firm under intense time pressure. The players agreed to a draw after 56 moves.
Praggnanandhaa was held by experienced campaigner Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, while Arjun Erigaisi, playing White, drew with Aydin Suleymanli. Vidit also shared the point with Rauf Mamedov.
Germany’s victory over Uzbekistan dramatically reshaped the standings, with Frederik Svane and Rasmus Svane securing wins over Nodirbek Yakubboev and Shamsiddin Vokhidov respectively.
Uzbekistan and Germany now lead with 14 match points, while India, China, the Netherlands, the United States and four other teams are part of a large group on 13 points.
In the women’s section, defending champions India were also held to a 2-2 draw, this time by Kazakhstan, leaving them in joint second place.
Koneru Humpy drew with Bibisara Assaubayeva, while Divya Deshmukh shared the point with Meruert Kamalidenova, with both Indian players having the black pieces.
B. Savitha Shri continued her remarkable run by defeating Elnaz Kaliakhmet, recording her seventh consecutive victory in the tournament. Her win helped India avoid defeat after Vaishali Rameshbabu lost to Nurman Alua.
Savitha Shri’s seven wins from seven games have produced a rating performance of 2955, underlining her outstanding form at the Olympiad.
Elsewhere, hosts Uzbekistan defeated the Netherlands 3-1 in a top-table clash, while China beat Georgia 2.5-1.5 to retain the lead in the women’s standings. Mongolia also defeated Bulgaria 2.5-1.5.
FOLLOW NOW
