Budapest, Hungary

The Indian contingent remains unbeaten at the ongoing Chess Olympiad in Budapest, with both men’s and women’s teams winning their respective seventh-round ties. While prodigy D Gukesh won his six-hour marathon against China’s Wei Yi, the women’s team beat Georgia on Wednesday (Sep 18).

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D Gukesh made headlines for his watchful yet impactful approach despite the marquee match between him and Ding Liren not taking place as China rested the world champion in the crucial tie. In his place, Wei Yi appeared against his Indian opponent, with the World Championship challenger prevailing, getting his chance after over 70 moves. 

This win was vital for India as they beat China after the three other matches - Yangyi Yu vs Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi vs Bu Xiangzhi, and Wang Yue vs GM Pentala Harikrishna ended in draws.

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Although winning their matches by a single win and opting for draws by resting their players have been the Chinese team’s tactics in this Olympiad, India’s been the opposite, which is to steamroll the opposition by playing for the win on every board.

Considering Gukesh’s form in this Olympiad has been imperious, winning four games before drawing the sixth round against Hungary’s Richard Rapport, to rest the world champion Ding Liren is an understandable call by China.

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Liren, however, has had a forgettable Olympiad, losing his previous game with white pieces against Vietnam’s Le Quang Liem. Besides, the Chinese international hasn’t won a single game this time, drawing four before going down in the previous tie. 

Liren also admitted that Gukesh is a favourite heading into the World Championship.

“I can see my opponent (Gukesh) playing extremely well in this tournament. Maybe, he is a favourite in the World Championship Match. He also has a higher rating than me. I have dropped a lot since last year, but I will fight my best to try to overcome the rating difference,” Ding Liren said while speaking with FIDE’s social media team earlier.

Viswanathan Anand unsurprised

Chess legend Viswanathan Anand also shared his thoughts on China resting Ding instead of making him available against India’s Gukesh.

“Everybody suspected that it could happen. For me, it was not clear if he should duck this one or play. But only he knows how he feels. After losing with white against Liem, he must be slightly annoyed. Maybe he just took the day off. Again, Wei Yi is no slouch by any measure. They can easily field Wei Yi,” Anand said on the ChessBase India broadcast as quoted by The Indian Express.

“If you look at momentum, stats and all, Gukesh is certainly playing much better. But think about it this way, Ding is still working hard. He’s getting through his bad form. I think Gukesh should be happy with how he’s playing. But he still has a match to play,” he added. 

(With inputs from agencies)