Indian Men’s Chess Team Dominates Iran, Women’s Team Suffers Upset Against Poland

The Indian men’s chess team continues to dominate the 45th Chess Olympiad, securing a commanding 3.5-0.5 victory over Iran in the eighth round. With this win, the team has extended their perfect record to eight wins in eight matches, firmly establishing themselves as the frontrunners for the gold medal in the Open section.

Led by world number four Arjun Erigaisi, who defeated Bardiya Daneshvar with black pieces, the Indian men’s team showcased exceptional skill and strategy in their latest triumph. D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit Gujrathi also contributed to the team’s success, securing wins and draws to further boost their score.

Erigaisi’s outstanding performance has brought him closer to the coveted 2800-rating mark, with a personal tally of 7.5 points from eight games. In live ratings, he now stands at 2793 points, positioning him to become the 16th player in history—and the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand—to reach the 2800 milestone. Gukesh’s win has also propelled him to 2785 rating points, marking the first time two Indians are in the top five of world chess rankings.

However, the Indian women’s team faced a surprising 1.5-2.5 defeat at the hands of Poland in the eighth round. Grandmaster D Harika struggled on the top board, suffering her third loss in the event, while other team members also faced tough competition from their Polish counterparts.

Despite this setback, the Indian women’s team remains in contention at the top of the table, tied with Poland and Kazakhstan on 14 points each. With the next round approaching, the Indian men will face Uzbekistan, while the women’s team is set to take on the USA in what promises to be another exciting round of chess action.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Indian teams’ performances at the 45th Chess Olympiad as they continue their quest for victory.