Uzbekistan's first men's national chess team defeated China 3:1 in the seventh round of the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. With this victory, the team has won all seven matches, accumulating a maximum of 14 points and solidifying its sole lead in the tournament standings.
Javokhir Sindarov, who will challenge Dommaraju Gukesh for the world crown this year, faced one of China's strongest grandmasters, Wei Yi (2752), in the seventh round. Sindarov had previously defeated him at the World Cup and the Candidates Tournament. This time, the game ended in a draw. After seven rounds, Sindarov has 4.5 points from 6 games — three wins and three draws. Thus, the grandmaster remains undefeated at the prestigious tournament on home soil. Sindarov's preparation and participation in international tournaments, including this Chess Olympiad, as well as his work with coaches, are supported by the National Bank of Uzbekistan.
Before the seventh round, China and Armenia were Uzbekistan's closest pursuers. After six rounds, the Uzbek players had 12 points, while the Chinese and Armenians had 11 each. The key points in the head-to-head match were delivered by two Nodirbeks. Abdusattorov (2762) defeated Ding Liren (2733), although the Chinese player had beaten Vincent Keymer, a top-10 player, in the previous round, helping China secure a 3:1 victory over Germany. On the first board, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (2762) triumphed over former world champion Ding Liren (2733), while Nodirbek Yakubboev (2685) defeated Yu Yangyi (2710). Javokhir Sindarov (2778) and Mukhiddin Madaminov (2611) signed draws with Wei Yi (2752) and Xu Xiangyu (2631), respectively.
Two days earlier, Yakubboev (2685) secured Uzbekistan's important victory against India by defeating Nihal Sarin, and this time he prevailed over Yu Yangyi (2710). The final score was 3:1 in favor of Uzbekistan. According to the results of seven rounds, Rustam Kasimdzhanov's charges have recorded seven victories in seven matches and hold a maximum of 14 team points. Moreover, Uzbek chess players have not lost a single individual game at this Olympiad. Previously, the first team had consecutively defeated Jamaica, Peru, Austria, Turkey, Hungary, and the reigning Olympic champion India.
Uzbekistan's second men's team, which started the Olympiad as the 30th seed, faced a strong French team seeded 9th in the seventh round. The first three boards ended in draws. Jakhongir Vakhidov (2527), despite having a significant advantage, shared the point with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2718). Abdimalik Abdisalimov (2548) drew with Maxime Lagarde (2593), and Muhammadzohid Suyarov (2540) drew with Marc-Andria Maurizzi (2612). At the time of writing, the game between Ortik Nigmatov (2484) and Jules Moussard (2602) was still ongoing. The intermediate score was 1.5:1.5. After six rounds, Uzbekistan-2 was in 13th place with 5 wins and 1 loss, having also defeated Spain among other victories.
The third men's team is competing against South Africa. Asrorjon Omonov (2347), who had won all 5 of his games at the Olympiad, continued his winning streak — he defeated Charlton Mnyastuni (2236) on the fourth board. Olmos Rakhmatullaev (2418) drew with Caleb Levi Levitan (2316). The games of Saidakabar Saydaliev and Muhammadali Abdurakhmonov were still unfinished at the time of writing. Uzbekistan-3 leads 1.5:0.5.
Uzbekistan's first women's team, after a loss to Georgia in the previous round, secured a convincing 3.5:0.5 victory over Slovenia. Afruza Hamdamova, Gulruhbegim Tohirjonova, and Guldona Karimova defeated their opponents, while Nilufarkhon Imomkuzieva drew her game. After seven rounds, the first women's team has 11 team points and currently occupies 6th place in the standings at the time of publication.
Uzbekistan's second women's team defeated Tajikistan 3:1. Madinabonu Khalilova beat Nozanin Mahmudova, and Mumtozbegim Mansurova defeated Shukrona Mashabova. Nilufar Yakubboyeva drew with Marvoriy Nasriddinzoda, and Marjona Malikova drew with Nadezhda Antonova. The third women's team was trailing 0:2 against Peru based on two completed games. Maftuna Bobomurodova lost to Maria Teresa Jimenez Salas, and Shohina Akhmedova lost to Fiorella Contreras. The games of Zilola Aktamova against Daisy Cori and Ozoda Shahzodova against Aleyla Ilario were still ongoing at the time of presentation.
The 46th World Chess Olympiad is being held in Samarkand over 11 rounds. The competitions will conclude on September 27. In each team match, four chess players play, and one more is listed as a reserve. Two points are awarded for a team win, and one point for a draw. Time control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then an additional 30 minutes until the end of the game. Additionally, players receive 30 seconds per move from the first move. Live broadcasts of the games can be watched on the UzChess (in Uzbek) and City Chess (in Russian) YouTube channels.
Source: www.gazeta.uz