If it’s not yet time for India’s coronation, the hour is getting close at the 45th Chess Olympiad. After their impressive 3.5-0.5 drubbing of Iran, they have a two point lead (i.e. a one point lead that’s doubled on the event’s 2-1-0 scoring system) over Uzbekistan and Hungary, and a three point lead over China (whom they’ve already beaten), the U.S., and Iran. Gukesh and Arigaisi were their usual brutal selves, and Vidit won as well.
Defending champs Uzbekistan and home team Hungary remained in striking distance, both winning their matches by 2.5-1.5 by winning the only decisive game in each case. For Uzbekistan it was their superstar, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, whose win over Alexander Predke let them triumph over Serbia; for Hungary, it was Benjamin Gledura’s board 4 win over Robert Hovhannisyan that gave them the victory over Armenia.
The U.S. and China were also one-game winners over France and Romania, respectively, and remain very much in contention for the podium.
Here’s today’s game selection, and these are the leading pairings for round 9:
India (16) - Uzbekistan (14)
USA (13) - Hungary (14)
China (13) - Iran (13)
13 teams are on 12 points, including Vietnam, Germany, Spain, Ukraine, Norway, Georgia, and England.