Chess Olympiad: Uzbekistan crushes Hungary and takes first place

Chess Olympiad. Uzbekistan crushes Hungary and takes first place

On September 20, the fifth round of the 46th World Chess Olympiad took place in Samarkand. The first men's national team of Uzbekistan confidently defeated Hungary, securing their fifth consecutive team victory. The women's national team ended their match against the USA in a draw.

Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov (2778) on board two, playing with the black pieces, defeated the experienced Hungarian grandmaster Peter Leko (2676). For the Uzbek player, this is his third victory in four games at the home Olympiad. After five rounds, one of which he rested, Sindarov has 3.5 points out of a possible 4.

The preparation and participation of Sindarov in international tournaments, including the Chess Olympiad, as well as his work with coaches, are supported by

the National Bank of Uzbekistan

.

In the match against Hungary, all four players of the main national team secured victories. On board one, Nodirbek Abdusattorov playing white defeated Richard Rapport (2726). Nodirbek Yakubboev beat Benjamin Gledura (2620), and Shamsiddin Vokhidov defeated Gleb Dudin (2560).

As a result, Uzbekistan crushed one of the strongest opponents with a score of 4:0 and maintained a 100% team record — 10 match points out of 10 possible after five rounds.

Following the five rounds, the team climbed to first place in the standings. Germany and India have the same number of points, but Uzbekistan leads them on tie-breaks. China and France have 9 points each.

Special mention goes to Nodirbek Yakubboev, who during the Olympiad crossed the 2700 mark in the live ratings for the first time. After his victory in the fifth round, his rating rose to 2702.6, allowing him to reach 33rd place in the live ratings. Yakubboev became the third chess player from Uzbekistan whose rating exceeded 2700 points, following Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov.

The second men's national team of Uzbekistan defeated the Philippines — 2.5:1.5.

The only victory in the match was brought by Abdumalik Abdisalimov, who defeated Michael Concio on board one. Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov, Ortik Nigmatov, and Khumoyun Begmuratov drew their games.

For Uzbekistan-2, this is the second consecutive victory after a defeat to Germany in the third round.

Uzbekistan-3 drew with Austria

The third men's national team of Uzbekistan ended their match against Austria in a draw — 2:2.

The only victory for the Uzbek team was brought by Asrorbek Omonov, who defeated Valentin Baidetskyi. Almas Rakhmatullaev and Mukhammadali Abdurakhmonov drew with Felix Blohberger and Lukas Dotzer, respectively. Bakhrom Bakhrillaev lost to Kirill Alekseenko.

The German national team defeated the USA.

In one of the key matches of the fifth round, Germany defeated the USA — 2.5:1.5. The deciding point was brought by Frederik Svane, who defeated Hans Niemann. The games of Vincent Keymer against Fabiano Caruana, Matthias Bluebaum against Wesley So, and Alexander Donchenko against Levon Aronian ended in draws.

India defeated the Netherlands — 3:1. Praggnanandhaa defeated Anish Giri, and Gukesh Dommaraju beat Erwin l'Ami. Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin drew.

China dropped team points for the first time, drawing with Armenia — 2:2. All four games of this match ended in draws.

France defeated the Czech Republic — 2.5:1.5, England beat Georgia by the same score, Iran won against Lithuania — 3:1, and Poland defeated Vietnam (2.5:1.5). Ukraine crushed Montenegro — 3.5:0.5, and Turkey defeated Latvia by the same score.

In the women's tournament, the first national team of Uzbekistan, seeded 13th by rating, failed to win a team match for the first time, drawing with one of the tournament leaders — the USA (the 5th seed), 2:2.

On board one, Afruza Khamdamova playing white defeated Carissa Yip (2468). Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova lost to Alice Lee (2453).

Umida Omonova, who had won all four of her previous games, drew with Tatev Abrahamyan, maintaining her unbeaten streak. Nilufarkhon Imomkuzieva also shared a point with Rose Atwell.

After the draw with the USA, the first women's national team of Uzbekistan has 9 match points out of 10 possible and trails the leaders by one point. Following five rounds, Poland, China, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan have 10 points each. The USA also has 9 points. Poland leads the standings on tie-breaks, followed by China and Kazakhstan.

The second women's national team of Uzbekistan secured a major victory over Tunisia — 4:0.

Nilufar Yakubbaeva, Marjona Malikova, Madinabonu Khalilova, and Asal Salimova won their games.

For the team, this is an important victory after a setback in the previous round.

The third women's national team of Uzbekistan also confidently won their match, defeating Madagascar — 3.5:0.5.

Zilola Aktamova, Barchinoy Shokirjonova, and Ozoda Shakhzodova scored a full point each. Maftuna Bobomurodova drew.

One of the main results of the fifth round in the women's tournament was Poland's victory over India — 2.5:1.5. The deciding point was brought by Aleksandra Maltsevskaya, who defeated Vaishali Rameshbabu. The other three games ended in draws.

Kazakhstan defeated Germany — 2.5:1.5. The only decisive game was won by Meruert Kamalidenova.

China defeated Bulgaria — 3:1 thanks to victories by Zhu Jiner and Song Yuxin. Azerbaijan defeated Serbia by the same score.

Ukraine beat Austria — 2.5:1.5, and Georgia defeated Indonesia with the same result. The Netherlands and Switzerland drew — 2:2.

After the fifth round, the battle among the leaders in the women's section has tightened: Uzbekistan dropped its first match point in the game against the USA, while Poland, Kazakhstan, and China secured victories over direct competitors.

The Chess Olympiad is held under the Swiss system in 11 rounds. In each team match, four chess players play, with one more included in the squad as a reserve. Two points are awarded for a team match victory, and one point for a draw.

Time control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes until the end of the game. Starting from the first move, each player also receives a 30-second increment per move.