Chess Olympiad 2024: 'Ice-man' Gukesh secures crucial win for India over China

India continues its dominating run in the 2024 Chess Olympiad, winning its seventh game on the trot in both the open and women's category, in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday.

Taking on China, who surprisingly rested Ding Liren, their best player and the current world champion, India won 2.5-1.5 in the open category, thanks to a crucial win from Gukesh D over Wei Yi.

The other three matches, featuring Pentala Harikrishna, Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun Erigaisi ended in draws, the latter having to end his six-match winning streak against China's Bu Xiangzhi.

On board two, Praggnanandhaa too held out for a draw against Yu Yangyi, and Pentala Harikrishna drew against Wang Yue on board four.

But the biggest surprise was China deciding to rest Ding Liren, who was supposed to play Gukesh D on board one.

It is to be noted that Gukesh D and Ding Liren will play the World Championship match later this year for the title of world champion after Gukesh D won the Candidates 2024 earlier this year.

In what was a six-hour marathon match, Gukesh finally ended up victorious against Wei Yi, securing India its seventh victory in seven rounds at the Chess Olympiad.

Vantika secures big win

Not to be outdone, the Indian women's team too racked up its seventh victory in as many ties, with a 3-1 victory over tournament favorites Georgia.

Vantika Agarwal earned an important victory over higher-seeded Bella Khotenashvili, a Grandmaster from Georgia.

Vaishali too, on her part, won her game against Lela Javakhishvili.

Divya Deshmukh, having won 5.5 points out of a possible six, drew her game against Nino Batsiashvili.

Harika Dronavalli drew her game against Nana Dzagnidze, resulting in a 3-1 win for India.

With this win, India have put themselves in a prime position to win the tournament and bring home the gold, an improvement from the bronze medal last time.