Chess Olympiad: Uzbekistan defeated Armenia and consolidated its lead
The first team of Uzbekistan confidently defeated Armenia in the penultimate round of the Chess Olympiad, breaking its unbeaten streak. Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Mukhiddin Madaminov won their games. Before the final round, Uzbekistan is the sole leader with 18 points.
Chess Olympiad. Uzbekistan beats Armenia and strengthens its lead
The first men's national team of Uzbekistan defeated Armenia in the 10th, penultimate round of the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
Javokhir Sindarov (rating — 2778) confidently prevailed over Robert Hovhannisyan (2642). Sindarov's preparation and performances at international tournaments, including the Chess Olympiad, as well as his work with coaches, are supported by the National Bank of Uzbekistan.
Following the results of 10 rounds, the Uzbekistani scored 6.5 points in 9 games, securing five victories, drawing three times, and suffering one defeat. He is a contender for an individual medal on board two.
On board one, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (2762) playing with black defeated Haik Martirosyan (2664). For the team leader, this is already his sixth victory at the Olympiad. He is among the main contenders for the individual gold medal on board one.
On board three, Nodirbek Yakubboev drew with Shant Sargsyan, and on board four, Mukhiddin Madaminov beat Gabriel Sargissian. The final score of the match was 3.5:0.5 in favor of Uzbekistan in the clash with an opponent that had not suffered a single defeat in the tournament until then.
Before the penultimate round, Uzbekistan has scored 18 team points and solely leads the standings.
The second team of Uzbekistan, which became one of the main revelations of the Olympiad, faced one of the most difficult opponents in the 10th round — the reigning Olympic champion India — and suffered a heavy defeat with a score of 0.5:3.5.
Jakhongir Vakhidov (2527) lost to Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (2761), Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (2540) to Nihal Sarin (2718), and Ortik Nigmatov (2484) to the reigning world champion Dommaraju Gukesh (2703).
The only half-point for the Uzbekistani team was brought by Abdimalik Abdisalimov (2548), who drew with Arjun Erigaisi (2759).
Uzbekistan-2 approached the match with India with 15 points, sharing second place in team points. In the previous round, Pavel Eljanov's team sensationally crushed the significantly higher-rated Netherlands 3.5:0.5. Vakhidov defeated Anish Giri, Suyarov beat Loek van Wely, Nigmatov beat Erwin l'Ami, and Abdisalimov drew with Jorden van Foreest.
Overall, after 10 rounds, the second national team secured seven victories, drew one match, and lost two.
The third men's national team of Uzbekistan lost to Israel — 1.5:2.5.
Saidakbar Saydaliev (2475) lost to Maxim Rodshtein (2576), and Bakhrom Bakhrillaev (2412) lost to Avital Boruchovsky (2529). Almas Rakhmatullaev (2418) drew with Yahli Sokolovsky (2546).
The only victory for Uzbekistan-3 was brought by Mukhammadali Abdurakhmonov (2390), who beat the experienced grandmaster Ilia Smirin (2578).
One of the main results of the round was Ukraine's 3:1 victory over China. Igor Kovalenko beat former world champion Ding Liren, and Roman Dekhtiarov beat Kung Xiangrui. The games between Wei Yi and Vasyl Ivanchuk, and Xu Xiangyu and Igor Samunenkov ended in draws.
Germany also achieved a major victory, beating France 3:1. The USA defeated Greece 3:1.
The Netherlands beat Romania 2.5:1.5. The only decisive game was won by Jorden van Foreest, who defeated Constantin Lupulescu.
Azerbaijan defeated Bulgaria with the same score. The victory for the team was secured by Mahammad Muradli, who beat Kiril Georgiev, while the other three games ended in draws.
Turkey crushed Argentina 3.5:0.5. Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, Ediz Gurel, and Vahap Sanal secured victories, while Isik Can drew with Sandro Mareco.
The first women's national team of Uzbekistan prematurely defeated Peru in the 10th round with a score of 3:0 in the completed games.
Umida Omonova (2297) beat Maria Teresa Jimenez Salas (2184), Nilufarkhon Imomkuzieva (2281) beat Fiorella Contreras (2168), and Guldona Karimova (2242) beat Aleyla Hilario (2069).
The game between Afruza Khamdamova (2443) and Deysi Cori (2316) ended in a draw.
The second women's national team of Uzbekistan ended its match against Sweden with a 2:2 draw.
Nilufar Yakubboeva (2246) drew with Pia Cramling (2388), and Madinabonu Khalilova (2087) drew with Lavinia Valcu (2170).
Marjona Malikova (2149) lost to Inna Agrest (2250), while Asal Salimova (2088) defeated Anna Cramling (2106).
The third women's national team of Uzbekistan and Kenya recorded a 2:2 draw.
Zilola Aktamova (2078) drew with Sasha Mongeli (1928), and Maftuna Bobomurodova (2030) drew with Jully Mutisya (1879). Shokhina Akhmedova (1978) lost to Madelta Glenda (1796), but Ozoda Shakhzodova (1964) defeated Nicole Albright (1770).
In the central match of the round, China and India played to a 2:2 draw. Zhu Jiner and Song Yuxin ended their games with Humpy Koneru and Divya Deshmukh in draws. Lu Miaoyi defeated Vantika Agrawal, but Savitha Shri pulled back a point for India by beating Zhai Mo.
The women's national team of Kazakhstan defeated France with a score of 2.5:1.5. Bibisara Assaubayeva (2536) beat Deimante Daulyte-Cornette (2391), and Elnaz Kaliakhmet (2347) beat Pauline Guichard (2344). Alua Nurman (2455) drew with Marie Sebag (2401). The only victory for France was brought by Sophie Milliet (2358), who beat Meruert Kamalidenova (2413).
Poland confidently defeated Mongolia 3:1. Victories were secured by Aleksandra Maltsevskaya and Alicja Sliwicka, while two other games ended in draws.
Armenia and Greece played to a 2:2 draw. For the Armenians, Mariam Mkrtchyan and Elina Danielian won, while for the Greeks, Stavroula Tsolakidou and Antonia Christodoulaki won.
The 46th World Chess Olympiad is taking place in Samarkand from September 16 to 27. On Sunday, September 27, the final, 11th round will take place.