Uzbekistan Beats USA to Take Sole Lead at Chess Olympiad in Samarkand
Sport
Uzbekistan defeated the United States 2.5-1.5 in the ninth round of the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, moving into sole first place with 16 match points. Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Nodirbek Yakubboev secured the decisive victories, defeating Fabiano Caruana and Hans Niemann respectively.
On board two, Javokhir Sindarov lost to American grandmaster Wesley So. It was Sindarov’s first defeat of the Olympiad. Before the ninth round, he had scored 5.5 points from seven games, with four wins and three draws. Mukhiddin Madaminov drew with Levon Aronian. The two Uzbek victories, one draw and one loss produced the final 2.5-1.5 team score.
The result came after Uzbekistan’s 2.5-1.5 defeat by Germany in round eight. The United States entered the match as the top-seeded team by starting rating. After nine rounds, the U.S. has 13 match points and sits 11th in the standings.
Uzbekistan’s second team also delivered a notable result. Starting the Olympiad as the 30th seed, Uzbekistan 2 defeated the Netherlands, the sixth-seeded team, by 3.5-0.5. Jakhongir Vakhidov beat Anish Giri, Muhammadzokhid Suyarov defeated Luke van Wely, and Ortik Nigmatov overcame Erwin l’Ami. Abdimaliк Abdisalimov drew with Jorden van Foreest. Uzbekistan 2 now has 15 match points and is part of the group chasing the leader.
After nine rounds, Uzbekistan leads with 16 match points. India, Armenia and Uzbekistan 2 have 15 each. China, Germany and France have 14. India defeated Germany 2.5-1.5, while Armenia beat Azerbaijan by the same score. France and China drew 2-2.
In the Women’s section, Uzbekistan’s main team lost 3-1 to defending champions India. Afruza Khamdamova drew with Koneru Humpy, Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova lost to Divya Deshmukh, Nilufarkhon Imomkuziyeva was defeated by Vantika Agrawal, and Guldona Karimova drew with Savitha Shri. Uzbekistan is 15th with 13 match points after nine rounds.
Two rounds remain. In round 10, Uzbekistan’s main team will face Armenia, which has 15 match points. Uzbekistan 2 will play India, also on 15 points, while Uzbekistan 3 will meet Israel.
The result came after Uzbekistan’s 2.5-1.5 defeat by Germany in round eight. The United States entered the match as the top-seeded team by starting rating. After nine rounds, the U.S. has 13 match points and sits 11th in the standings.
Uzbekistan’s second team also delivered a notable result. Starting the Olympiad as the 30th seed, Uzbekistan 2 defeated the Netherlands, the sixth-seeded team, by 3.5-0.5. Jakhongir Vakhidov beat Anish Giri, Muhammadzokhid Suyarov defeated Luke van Wely, and Ortik Nigmatov overcame Erwin l’Ami. Abdimaliк Abdisalimov drew with Jorden van Foreest. Uzbekistan 2 now has 15 match points and is part of the group chasing the leader.
After nine rounds, Uzbekistan leads with 16 match points. India, Armenia and Uzbekistan 2 have 15 each. China, Germany and France have 14. India defeated Germany 2.5-1.5, while Armenia beat Azerbaijan by the same score. France and China drew 2-2.
In the Women’s section, Uzbekistan’s main team lost 3-1 to defending champions India. Afruza Khamdamova drew with Koneru Humpy, Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova lost to Divya Deshmukh, Nilufarkhon Imomkuziyeva was defeated by Vantika Agrawal, and Guldona Karimova drew with Savitha Shri. Uzbekistan is 15th with 13 match points after nine rounds.
Two rounds remain. In round 10, Uzbekistan’s main team will face Armenia, which has 15 match points. Uzbekistan 2 will play India, also on 15 points, while Uzbekistan 3 will meet Israel.
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