Samarkand, Sept 19:
India returned to winning ways at the 46th Chess Olympiad with a convincing 3-1 victory over Italy in the third round on Friday.
World champion D Gukesh was among India’s key performers, defeating Italy’s Sabino Brunello on the fourth board. Gukesh had opted to play on the lower board as part of India’s strategy for the tournament, with the move aimed at maximising the team’s chances across the four boards.
The Indian men’s team had been among the leading contenders heading into the tournament and the victory over Italy provided a strong response after the earlier round. India will continue its campaign in the coming rounds as the battle for the top positions intensifies.
The women’s team also produced a commanding result, defeating Greece 3.5-0.5 in the third round. The performances of both Indian teams have kept them firmly in contention as the Olympiad progresses.