Savitha Shri Saves India Women in Kazakhstan Olympiad Draw

B Savitha Shri delivered a crucial seventh victory as India’s women drew 2-2 with Kazakhstan at the Chess Olympiad on Thursday. Her win brought India level after R Vaishali’s loss had put the side under pressure, while Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy had earlier drawn their respective games.

The result kept India close to the leading teams in the women’s event with three rounds remaining. China were level at the top with Kazakhstan on 13 points, according to the tournament update, with India a half-point behind. India entered the latter stages as defending champions but faced a demanding race to retain the title.

Savitha Shri supplies the decisive response

India’s match against Kazakhstan had appeared headed for a difficult outcome after Vaishali lost to Alua Nurman. Deshmukh and Humpy had already shared points in their games, leaving Savitha Shri’s board as the opportunity for India to recover the tie.

Savitha Shri came back from an equal position and completed the win needed to make the overall score 2-2. It was her seventh victory of the Olympiad and another important contribution for the Indian women’s team in a closely contested match.

The draw underlined how narrow the margins have become near the top of the women’s competition. Kazakhstan retained a share of the lead alongside China, while India remained in touch with three rounds to play. The next round was set to bring a meeting between China and Kazakhstan, a contest identified as a key point in the battle at the front.

For India, the Kazakhstan tie contained both early draws and a late recovery. Deshmukh and Humpy ensured that the match remained level before Vaishali’s defeat created a deficit. Savitha Shri then supplied the result that prevented India from losing ground more heavily in the title race.

The women’s event remains open at the top, although China were described as having found a strong rhythm in the competition. India’s position behind the co-leaders means the remaining rounds carry major significance for the defending champions.

India men also share points with Azerbaijan

India’s open team also drew 2-2 on Thursday, sharing the points with Azerbaijan in an all-drawn encounter. World champion D Gukesh was held by Muhammad Muradli, while R Praggnanandhaa drew with Shakhriyar Mamedyarov on the top board. The remaining two games also ended in draws.

The open-section result came on a day when Uzbekistan, previously described as unstoppable, lost 2.5-1.5 to Germany. That result tightened the race at the top: Germany joined Uzbekistan on 14 points, with India and Holland on 13 points each.

India’s men therefore remained among the closest challengers despite not finding a win against Azerbaijan. Gukesh tried to break through against Muradli but had to settle for a draw, while Praggnanandhaa’s game with Mamedyarov also produced a shared point.

Thursday’s results left both Indian teams with work still to do in the closing rounds. The women relied on Savitha Shri’s recovery to preserve a draw against Kazakhstan, and the men stayed on 13 points after four draws against Azerbaijan. With the leaders within reach in both sections, the final three rounds were set to determine the outcome of the Chess Olympiad.