India Beat England as Women Rout Germany at Olympiad

India’s open team returned to winning ways with a victory over England, while the Indian women defeated Germany 3.5-0.5 in the seventh round of the 46th Chess Olympiad on Wednesday. R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh supplied key wins for the open side, and the women established control early against Germany before completing a convincing result.

The twin results gave India a strong seventh-round showing across both sections. The open team overcame a loss for Nihal Sarin on the third board, with Praggnanandhaa’s win on the top board and Gukesh’s success on board four leading the response against England. In the women’s match, Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh and Savitha Shri won their games, while Vaishali drew.

Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh lead the open-team response

Praggnanandhaa set the tone on the top board with a clinical victory over Nikita Vitiugov. The Indian grandmaster was described as being at his tactical best as he outsmarted his experienced opponent. After moving out of the opening phase, Praggnanandhaa struck on the queenside with his forces and was rewarded quickly.

Gukesh added another important point on board four. The reigning world champion remained unbeaten in the event by winning again, continuing a run that has kept him in contention for a third straight gold medal. The report noted that the board number has not affected his impact for India, despite his previous two gold medals having come while playing on the top board.

Nihal Sarin lost to Luke McShane on board three, but the defeat did not prevent India from securing the overall match. The result also left Vidit Gujrathi needing to return to the team’s plans, according to the match report. India’s success against England was an important recovery as the open team looked to regain momentum at the Olympiad.

Gukesh’s game was built around a focused kingside attack. Once he had latched on to the attacking chance, he had little to worry about as he converted the opportunity into another victory. Together with Praggnanandhaa’s top-board point, his result ensured India had the wins needed to overcome Sarin’s loss.

Indian women take control against Germany

India’s women were even more decisive against Germany, winning 3.5-0.5. Any German hopes were extinguished in the first hour as Humpy, the experienced Indian on board one, made short work of her opponent. Her victory gave India an early platform in the match.

Vaishali drew on the second board as she continued to search for form, but India’s advantage was reinforced when Divya Deshmukh won on board three. That result secured the team victory, with India already having built an unassailable lead over Germany.

Savitha Shri then completed the 3.5-0.5 scoreline with another win. It was her fifth victory in as many games, extending an impressive individual sequence during the Olympiad. With Humpy, Divya and Savitha all scoring full points and Vaishali drawing, the women produced one of India’s clearest results of the round.

The seventh-round results placed the focus on India’s ability to deliver across both teams. The open side found the decisive wins through Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh against England, while the women converted an early advantage into a comprehensive victory over Germany.