R Praggnanandhaa set the tone on the top board as the Indian men's team blanked Morocco 4-0, while the women romped home against Jamaica, conceding just a draw in the process, in the first round of the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. (More Chess News)
With world championship chalꦦlenger D Gukesh taking a break in the opening round, Praggnanandhaa delivered the goods against Tissir Mohamed out of a Sicilian defense game while Vidit Gujrathi, Arjun Erigaisi and P Harikrishna also pulled off comfortable wins to start off confidently on Wednesday.
I𓆏n the women's section, R Vaishali a♋nd Tania Sachdev scored fine victories in the first time control itself. However, on the other two boards there was stiff resistance as Divya Deshmukh had to sweat hard for a much-needed victory while Vantika Agarwal was forced to concede a draw in the endgame against her rival.
It was business as usual for the top guns despite the occasional hiccups. Top seeded United States also won 3.5-0.5 against Panama. Wesley So꧅ was the lone American who was unable to force matters and had to be content with a draw.
Armenian-Amer🧸ican Levon Aronian came out of an early mishap to turn the tables and ensure smooth sailing 💫for the American team into round two.
As many as 99 teams in the open section started off with wi❀ns giving them all two points each. A total of 182 teams were paired while 15 teams we♐re still grappling to reach Budapest.
Praggnanandhaa was up against a Sicilian by top Moroccan Mohamed who had oౠnly himself to blame after the opening got over𝓰.
The Indian teen had a stronghold on the king side that he utilised to th♛e fullest to take th♔e first point home for the team.
Not very far b✨ehind was Gujrathi who was clearly in his elements. He also got an opening advantage out of a King pawn gamꦬe against Jacques Elbilia as he knocked down a pawn and never looked back.
Erigaise may have had to work harder b♌ut the Indian yo🌞ungster, who is currently ranked number four in the world, was never far from winning his game.
Harikrishna faced some initial resistance from Anas Mosyad in a closed Sicilian but his superior understanding of the structure gave him the vital point. The second round will see🏅 the Indian men clash with a spirited Iceland.
In tಞhe women's competition, Vaishali had no trouble in converting her position with b💃lack pieces as D Harika was rested on the top board.
Tania Sachdev was in command right through and despite a li🍸ttle mess-up, she did not let the advantage slip through her hands playing on board four.
On the second board, there were some serious issues for Divya Deshmukh but the recently-crowned world junior girls' ch💎ampion proved her mettle out of an equal position.
The same, however, was not the case with Van🌳tika as she was forced in a drawn queen and pawns endgame.
The women's event features 178 teams as of 𓆏now wi𝔍th 19 still awaited to join the extravaganza from round two onward.
Indian results round 1:💮 R Praggnanandhaa beat Tissir Mohamed; Jacques Elbilia lost to Arjun Erigaisi; Vidit Gujrathi beat Ouakhir Mehdi Pierre; Anas Moayad lost to P Harikrishna
Women: R Vaishali beat Adani Clarke; Divya Deshmukh beat Rachel Miller; Raehanna Brown drew with Vantika Agrawal; Tania Sachdev beat Gabriella Watꦫson.
