Germany Breaks Uzbekistan’s Run at Chess Olympiad

Germany breaks Uzbekistan’s run as the Olympiad race tightens

Germany handed Uzbekistan its first match defeat at the 46th Chess Olympiad, winning 2½–1½ in round eight in Samarkand. The hosts had won all seven of their matches and led by two match points after round seven. Germany’s result cut into that advantage with three rounds left, while the United States also moved closer with a heavy win over Serbia.

The match turned on the lower boards. Frederik Svane beat Nodirbek Yakubboev on board three, and Rasmus Svane defeated Shamsiddin Vokhidov on board four. Those wins proved decisive: Javokhir Sindarov had beaten Matthias Bluebaum on board two, but Germany still had the edge on the match score.

On board one, Vincent Keymer held Nodirbek Abdusattorov to a draw with Black. It was the last game to finish. The result completed a remarkable reversal from Uzbekistan’s position a day earlier: the team that had been the only one without an individual board defeat now had lost twice in the same match.

Uzbekistan’s round-seven 3–1 win over China had seemed to put the home team in control. Abdusattorov defeated former world champion Ding Liren on board one, while Yakubboev beat Yu Yangyi on board three. Sindarov and Mukhiddin Madaminov drew their games against Wei Yi and Xu Xiangyu, leaving Uzbekistan on a perfect 14/14 match points. Germany stayed in the hunt with a 3–1 win over Türkiye, powered by victories from both Svane brothers.

That set up the round-eight clash between the leaders and one of their nearest challengers. Germany entered from a five-team group on 12/14; after the upset, Uzbekistan could no longer rely on its earlier cushion. The Olympiad uses an eleven-round team format, so three rounds remain for the leading sides to establish who will contend for medals. The United States, China and the chasing teams are still in the race.

The United States closes in

The Americans beat Serbia 3½–½, taking advantage of the result on the top match. Fabiano Caruana defeated Alexey Sarana on board one for his third win of the tournament and remained undefeated. His 24.Rxg7! was the game’s turning point: in a Najdorf Sicilian with opposite-side castling, White’s attack had gathered force against Black’s exposed king. Caruana’s sacrifice drew the king into a position where Black’s queen was trapped, and he converted the advantage.

China also bounced back, beating Poland 2½–1½. Ding Liren drew with Jan-Krzysztof Duda on board one, and the games on boards three and four were level. Wei Yi supplied the only decisive result, defeating Szymon Gumularz on board two. His 32…Qxf3!! gave up the queen to clear the way for a passed pawn to promote—a concrete reminder of how dangerous advanced passers can be, even when material appears to favour the other side.

India and Azerbaijan drew all four games. Gukesh created India’s clearest winning chance but could not convert it against Muradli’s defence. Vidit returned to India’s lineup on board four, replacing Nihal Sarin, who had been out for five rounds. The Netherlands and Armenia also split their match 2–2: Jorden van Foreest handed Robert Hovhannisyan his first individual loss of the event, before Shant Sargsyan beat Loek van Wely to level the score.

China takes the Women’s lead

The Women’s section produced a change at the top. China beat Georgia 2½–1½ to move into sole first place on 15 match points. Kazakhstan drew 2–2 with India and sits on 14, alongside Armenia and Mongolia. Uzbekistan and Greece are among the teams on 13.

The previous round had left China and Kazakhstan level on 13/14 after their direct match ended 2–2. Both had started that encounter with perfect match records, and five teams were just one point behind. Round eight therefore gave the pursuers a chance to change the order. China took it against Georgia: Zhai Mo beat Lela Javakhishvili on board four, while the other games were drawn.

Kazakhstan’s draw with India had a different shape. Savitha won on board three, extending her streak to seven consecutive victories, but Vaishali’s win on board two helped India secure the 2–2 result. The remaining two boards were drawn. Vaishali, the Candidates winner, had now lost twice in her previous three games.

Armenia and Mongolia also reached 14 points with 2½–1½ wins. Armenia, seeded 16th, beat the United States, with Elina Danielian defeating Irina Krush on board three. Mongolia overcame Bulgaria, Turmunkh Munkhzul’s win over Nadya Toncheva providing the match point. Uzbekistan beat the Netherlands 3–1, and Greece upset sixth seeds Ukraine 2½–1½ to reach 13.

Three rounds to decide the race

No medal places are settled. Germany has brought the Open leaders back within reach, and the United States’ win adds another team to the pursuit. In the Women’s event, China has the outright lead, but four teams are only one point behind. With three rounds left, each match can still shift the standings.

Individual honours are also taking shape. Provisional lists for board medals and title achievements began appearing from round eight, but those standings remain subject to later results and title rulings. The next matches will show whether Germany can sustain its challenge, whether Uzbekistan can recover, and whether China can hold off the Women’s chasing pack.

Sources

• FIDE: Olympiad Day 8 — Germany shake up the race at the top
• ChessBase: Samarkand R7 (open) — Uzbekistan continue dominating run, extend lead
• ChessBase: Samarkand R7 (women) — China and Kazakhstan draw