Uzbekistan's main national team defeated the United States 2.5-1.5 in the ninth round of the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, taking sole lead of the tournament table with 16 points. India, Armenia and Uzbekistan-2 trail the leader by one point.
Javokhir Sindarov lost to American Wesley So on board two, suffering his first defeat of the competition. Before that game, the Uzbek grandmaster had scored 5.5 points in seven rounds (four wins and three draws). He remains one of the main contenders for individual medals. The player's training, participation in international tournaments and the Olympiad, as well as work with coaches, is supported by the National Bank of Uzbekistan.
The main Uzbek team faced the USA, which had suffered its first defeat against Germany in the previous round. On board one, Nodirbek Abdusattorov defeated Fabiano Caruana with the white pieces. Nodirbek Yakubboev brought another point to the team by beating Hans Niemann. Muhiddin Madaminov agreed to a draw with Levon Aronian. Thus, Uzbekistan defeated the USA 2.5-1.5.
Uzbekistan's second team crushed the Netherlands 3.5-0.5 in round nine. Before the round, the national team had 13 team points and occupied fourth place. Jakhongir Vakhidov defeated Anish Giri, Muhammadzohid Suyarov beat Luke van Wely, and Ortik Nigmatov overcame Erwin L'Ami. Abdimalik Abdisalimov drew with Jorden van Foreest. Uzbekistan-2 collected 15 points and placed among the closest pursuers of the main national team.
Uzbekistan's third team beat Kyrgyzstan 2.5-1.5. Saidakbar Saydaliev, Bakhrom Bakhrillaev and Muhammadali Abdurakhmonov drew their games. On board four, Asrorjon Omonov, who defeated Timur Daudov, brought the winning point to his team. This result was Omonov's seventh victory in seven games at the Olympiad.
In one of the central matches of the round, India and Germany clashed. The Indian team won 2.5-1.5. The decisive point was secured by world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, who defeated Alexander Donchenko; the other three games ended in draws. After nine games, Gukesh has 7.5 points. France and China drew 2-2. Although Maxime Vachier-Lagrave defeated Ding Liren on board one, the Chinese team managed to avoid defeat. As a result, both teams shared one point each. Armenia defeated Azerbaijan, bringing their team points to 15, just like India and Uzbekistan-2. Before the ninth round, both teams had 13 points.
Thus, after round 9, Uzbekistan leads alone with 16 points. India, Armenia and Uzbekistan-2 have 15 points each. Germany, China and France have 14 points. The defeated USA and Azerbaijan settled for 13 points.
In the women's tournament, Uzbekistan's main team lost to the reigning Olympic champion India (1-3). Afruza Khamdamova drew with Humpy Koneru, Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova lost to Divya Deshmukh, and Nilufarkhon Imomkuzieva was defeated by Vantika Agrawal. Guldona Karimova's game against Savitha Shri ended in a draw. Uzbekistan-2 beat Iceland 2.5-1.5: Madinabonu Khalilova and Asal Salimova won their games, Marjona Malikova drew, and Mumtozbegim Mansurova lost. Uzbekistan-3 lost to Italy 1.5-2.5: the only win was by Ozoda Shahzodova, Barchinoy Shokirjonova drew, while Zilola Aktamova and Maftuna Bobomurodova lost.
Other important results: China defeated Armenia 3-1, France beat Serbia 2.5-1.5, while Kazakhstan vs Mongolia and Georgia vs Greece ended in 2-2 draws.
According to City Chess, after nine rounds several Uzbek chess players are among the leaders in individual standings on their boards. On board one, Nodirbek Abdusattorov holds 1st place with a performance rating of 2880 after nine games. On board three, Nodirbek Yakubboev leads with a performance of 2822 after eight games. Javokhir Sindarov is third among board two players with a performance of 2792. Among reserve players, the best indicator belongs to Asrorbek Omonov — 2976, but he has played only seven games so far. To be included in the final medal calculation, a player must play at least eight games; therefore, Omonov needs to play once more to meet this requirement.
In the women's tournament, Afruza Khamdamova is second among board one players. Her performance after eight rounds is 2559, with only Chinese player Zhu Jiner ahead — 2645. At the Olympiad, individual medals are distributed based on tournament performance — a rating that takes into account the player's results and the strength of opponents. Previously, the percentage of points scored was the main criterion. To be included in the list, a player must play at least eight games.
Two rounds remain until the end of the Olympiad. The competition is held over 11 rounds using the Swiss system. Two points are awarded for a team win, one for a draw. In round 10 of the open tournament, Uzbekistan's main team, which leads alone with 16 points after nine rounds, will face Armenia, which occupies fourth place with 15 points. Uzbekistan-2, currently third with 15 points, will test its strength against second-placed India, which has the same number of points. Uzbekistan-3 will clash with Israel: before the round, the Uzbek players are in 53rd place with 11 points, while the opponent is 45th with 10 points. Other central matches of round 10 include Ukraine vs China, Germany vs France, Hungary vs Spain, and Greece vs USA.
In the women's tournament, Uzbekistan's main team, which is in 15th place with 13 points, will face Peru, which has the same number of points. Uzbekistan-2 will play Sweden, and Uzbekistan-3 will compete against Kenya. The main clash in the women's competition will be between the leaders — China and India. Kazakhstan will fight France, Mongolia will face Poland, and Greece will take on Armenia.
Source: www.gazeta.uz