India beats Indonesia 2.5-1.5 in Open, women overpower Finland in Chess Olympiad Round 2

D Gukesh was held to a draw by Indonesia’s Satria Duta Cahaya as India edged Indonesia in Round 2 of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. | Photo Credit: Rafal Oleksiewicz/FIDE

India was made to work for a 2.5-1.5 victory over Indonesia in the Open section of the Chess Olympiad on Thursday, with Nihal Sarin providing the only decisive result of the match.

R Praggnanandhaa, who returned to the line-up after being rested in the opening round, played a marathon game with Black against Susanto Megaranto on the top board. The game went deep into an endgame before the players settled for a draw after 79 moves.

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Nihal playing White against IM Arif Abdul Hafiz, gave India the breakthrough. He steadily increased the pressure before taking control tactically in the latter stages. Hafiz resigned after 37.Nc5+, giving Nihal his second successive victory at the Olympiad.

D Gukesh could not find a way past IM Satria Duta Cahaya with Black. After the position simplified, Gukesh used repeated queen checks to hold the game, with the draw coming after 51. Qd1+.

Vidit Gujrathi’s game against IM Nayaka Budhidharma also ended in a draw. Playing White, Vidit reached a balanced position before the players agreed to split the point after 34.h3.

With one victory and three draws, India took the match 2.5-1.5 and followed its 3-1 opening-round win against Thailand with another two match points. India had beaten Thailand despite Arjun Erigaisi’s shock defeat on the top board in Round 1.

Sindarov makes quick work of Flores Quillas

Javokhir Sindarov produced a sharp 32-move victory with Black against Peru’s Diego Saul Rodri Flores Quillas.

Javokhir Sindarov was rested in opening round, returned to the Uzbekistan line-up and beat Peru’s Diego Quillas. | Photo Credit: Rafal Oleksiewicz/FIDE

Sindarov’s attack became particularly dangerous once the Peruvian’s king was forced into the open. 26.Qf1+ began the decisive phase, with Flores Quillas’ king eventually driven to h4 and then g5.

Sindarov kept the pressure on with 30.Rh6+ before tightening the net. After 32.Qxf1 Rh3, Flores Quillas resigned, handing Sindarov a convincing victory in his first game of the Olympiad.