The lights went out early on the first two boards in India’s Round 10 clash against table toppers China on Saturday, with Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh drawing against Zhu Jiner and Song Yuxin, respectively at the Fide Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. Bengaluru: Savitha Shri had blundered a pawn in the middlegame and at some point it seemed she would take a draw. It was down to Vantika Agrawal – she was in an equal position for the most part – and Savitha on the two lower boards to hold or find a win and keep India in the medal hunt, with one round remaining.
With the script on the board next to her flipping and her teammate Vantika staring at an imminent defeat, the 19-year-old knew the team’s medal hopes pivoted on her. Playing with the White pieces, the teenage international master’s clutch win over woman grandmaster Zhai Mo handed India a 2-2 draw. It took Savitha to a stunning 8.5/9 performance in this Olympiad. In the Open section, R Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin and D Gukesh found wins to defeat Uzbekistan 2, 3.5-0.5. On Board 2, Arjun Erigaisi missed a win and settled for a draw. After Round 10, Uzbekistan remained on top at 18 points, India are on 17, with Germany, Ukraine and Hungary at 16 each.
She spurned a draw, improved her position gradually, and finally like she has done with great success through this tournament – managed to bring it home. Tournament leader Uzbekistan crushed Armenia while Ukraine pulled off an upset victory over China. Uzbekistan have had an impressive run in the tournament in the Open section, defeating India, China, USA and Armenia, losing only to Germany.
