“Big Teams Face Draws in Women’s Olympiad: Uzbekistan Surprises with Upset Victory”

After three rounds at the Women’s Olympiad, 16 teams have perfect 6/6 scores. These teams represent some of the strongest chess nations in the world, but notably, they include one of the tournament’s biggest surprises so far: Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan delivered the upset of the third round by defeating Hungary, the 12th seed, by a 2½-1½ score. On board 1, Afruza Khamdamova made the most of Gaal Zsoka’s blunder in a pure rook endgame to grab a full point. On board 3, Umida Omonova also triumphed with black, securing another crucial point for Uzbekistan. Their performance is a testament to the rising strength of chess in Uzbekistan, and the team will be one to watch closely in the upcoming rounds.

Besides Hungary’s setback, four more teams that entered the Olympiad as serious contenders for the top spots were held to surprising draws by lower-rated opponents, highlighting the depth of talent across the competition. Georgia, Poland, Azerbaijan, and Germany will be looking to bounce back after their draws. With exciting matchups lined up for round 4, the competition is only heating up, and every round brings new surprises as teams vie for the coveted Olympiad title in Budapest.

Round 4 promises even more excitement, with several high-stakes matches that will see top teams battling to stay in the leading group. India will face a tough challenge from France, while China’s match against England is set to be one of the highlights of the round. Ukraine, the defending champions, will face Türkiye in a match that could have major implications for the standings.

Individual performances also stand out, with China and Vietnam dominating with impressive 11½/12 points on individual boards. China’s Lu Miaoyi, a 14-year-old prodigy, has won all three of her games, showcasing incredible talent and composure at a young age.

With surprises, upsets, and standout performances, the Women’s Olympiad in Budapest is shaping up to be a thrilling competition that chess fans won’t want to miss.