India secures 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan in 9th round of Chess Olympiad in Budapest

In the ongoing 45th Chess Olympiad Budapest in Hungary, the Indian team continued their unbeaten streak, securing a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan in the ninth round of the open section. With this, India remained at the top of the standings with 17 points. Meanwhile, in the women’s section, India slipped to second place with 15 points after a 2-2 draw against the USA. In the open section, all four Indian players, including D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Vidit Gujrathi, drew their respective games.

India maintains a two-match-point lead over the second-placed USA, with Uzbekistan now in third. In the women’s section, India made a strategic switch by resting Harika Dronavalli and moving R. Vaishali to the top board. However, Vaishali lost to Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova. In this section, Kazakhstan has surged to the top with 16 points, with just two rounds left to play.