Indian Men Dominate Azerbaijan in 5th Round of Chess Olympiad, Women’s Team Faces Armenia Next

Indian men’s chess team continues their winning streak at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, with D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaise leading the charge. In the fifth round, the team secured a 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan, maintaining a clean slate on ten points. Gukesh and Arjun showcased their exceptional skills by overpowering their opponents with their white pieces, while Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi also contributed to the team’s success with a draw each.

Meanwhile, in the women’s section, Grandmaster D Harika suffered a shock defeat, but the team rallied back to secure a 2-2 tie against Kazakhstan. Vantika Agarwal and Vaishali played crucial roles in securing the team’s victory, joining Armenia and Mongolia in the lead with ten points each.

Gukesh’s impressive performance, with four consecutive victories, and Arjun’s strategic gameplay have been instrumental in India’s success at the Olympiad. Arjun, with a current ELO rating of 2888, is just 12 points away from reaching the prestigious 2800 mark, achieved only by Viswanathan Anand in Indian chess history.

The Indian teams are set to face tough competition in the upcoming rounds, with the men taking on strong opponents like Vietnam and China, while the women will face Armenia in their next match. With their exceptional performance so far, the Indian chess contingent is poised for a strong finish at the Olympiad.