Thu Sep 19 07:08:46 UTC 2024: ## India Dominates, China Stumbles at Chess Olympiad

**Budapest, Hungary** – India continues their reign at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, securing their seventh consecutive victory and maintaining a perfect 14/14 score. In a highly anticipated match, India narrowly defeated China, who replaced World Champion Ding Liren with Wei Yi on board one.

Despite a long and tense endgame, Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju secured the crucial win against Wei, sending a powerful message just two months before their upcoming world championship match. This victory propelled Gukesh into the world’s top five.

Meanwhile, Iran’s GM Pouya Idani delivered the sole victory against Vietnam on board four, propelling Iran to second place overall.

**Indian Women Lead with Perfection**

In the Women’s Olympiad, India also achieved a perfect 14/14 score, defeating Georgia 3-1. The Indian women, led by GM Vaishali Rameshbabu and IM Vantika Agrawal, showcased exceptional skill and determination, aiming for a perfect 22/22 score.

**Close Contenders Emerge**

While India leads with a commanding score, several teams remain in close contention. Uzbekistan secured a 3-1 victory against Ukraine, with GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov leading the way. Hungary also achieved a 2.5-1.5 win against Lithuania, while Serbia edged out the Netherlands 3-1.

**Individual Highlights**

WFM Eman Sawan of Palestine continues to impress, securing her sixth consecutive win on board one and currently leading the race for an individual gold medal.

**Round Eight Preview**

The upcoming round eight promises exciting matchups, with India facing Iran in the Open section. Both Gukesh and Iran’s GM Parham Maghsoodloo remain undefeated, setting the stage for a potential clash of titans.

In the Women’s section, India will face Poland, who needs a win to catch the leaders. The match between Kazakhstan and France will also be crucial for their medal hopes.

The 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad continues in Budapest, with the final rounds set for September 22nd. Fans can follow the action live on the chess24 YouTube and Twitch channels.

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