India continue impressive run at Chess Olympiad

Chennai, July 31: WGM Nandhidhaa PV representing India Team-C was the first player to gain a point on Sunday after she gained a walkover from her rival in the third round of the 44th Chess Olympiad at Mamallapuram near here.
Nandhidhaa gained a walkover from Chiara Polterauer who is unwell.
Nandhidhaa, while speaking to the media mentioned “This is my first Olympiad and am playing in my home- town Chennai, reason enough to give me extra energy. In my opinion ratings and seedings don’t matter. Even our team has a chance and we are ready to give our best.”
Meanwhile, all the six Indian teams, having won both their first two round matches, it was time for change in strategy as the Women India-A team rested their star player Koneru Humpy.
Dronavalli Harika was pitted for the first time in this Olympiad and this is the 9th consecutive time that she is playing for India, not to mention the two virtual Olympiads where India won a Gold and Bronze medal in the mixed version.
31-year-old Harika is in the advanced stages of her first pregnancy and was playing Jovanka Houska of England on the top board for India-A team. The game is a Queen’s Gambit Declined one with fortunes fluctuating so far.
Eesha Karavade enhanced her space advantage in a Sicilian Defence game against Katharina Newrkla with the latter playing passively. A centralized knight and well-posted pieces indicated a winning chance for Eesha, but the game abruptly ended in a draw after 27 moves with most pieces still in the board.
In the open section Viddit Gujrathi playing for India-A team, had to settle for a draw against GM Theodorou. (UNI)