MAMALLAPURAM, Aug 7: India B played out a 2-2 draw against Azerbaijan in the 9th round of the open section, while India A and C teams registered identical 3-1 wins in the 44th Chess Olympiad here on Sunday.
Teenaged Grandmaster D Gukesh saw his winning streak come to a halt after he drew his top board game against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov after having notched up eight victories on the trot.
Gukesh’s fellow teenaged GM R Praggnanandhaa did the star turn for India B against Azerbaijan, beating Vasif Durarbayli in 66 moves. Raunak Sadhwani went down to Nijat Abasov, while Nihal Sarin drew with Rauf Mamedov.
India A defeated Brazil 3-1, while India C beat Paraguay by a similar margin. Young GM Arjun Erigaisi and K Sasikiran starred for India A with wins over Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian and Andre Diamant respectively.
Meanwhile, leaders Armenia were surprised by Uzbekistan who posted a 3-1 win. Armenia’s defeat leaves the field open with Uzbekistan climbing to the top position.
In the women’s section, top-seeds India A were defeated 2.5-1.5 by fourth-seeded Poland, while No 2 seed Ukraine and No 3 seed Georgia drew 2-2.
The two other Indian teams – B and C defeated Switzerland 4-0 and Estonia 3-1 respectively. (PTI)
