The rest day seemed beneficial for India as both the open and women’s teams delivered strong performances in the seventh round of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. After its first tournament defeat against host Uzbekistan, the defending champion Indian open team bounced back with a crucial 2.5–1.5 victory over England, regaining momentum at a vital stage of the competition.
Key victories from R. Praggnanandhaa and D. Gukesh over Nikita Vitiugov and Daniel Howard Fernandez, respectively, were decisive in securing the win. Arjun Erigaisi drew with experienced English player Michael Adams, while Nihal Sarin suffered his second consecutive defeat, this time against Luke McShane. Despite Sarin’s loss, the contributions from Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and Erigaisi ensured India took the match.
The Indian women’s team also impressed by defeating Germany convincingly, adding another vital victory in the tournament. These results highlighted the strength and depth of Indian chess, with both teams responding well during a crucial Olympiad phase. The open team’s recovery after the Uzbekistan setback and the women’s team’s consistent form stood out.
With these wins, India solidified its standing in the Chess Olympiad and showcased the high quality of its players across both divisions. Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh’s performances were particularly impactful in the open section, while the women’s comprehensive triumph over Germany emphasized India’s competitiveness on the international chess stage.
