The main Uzbekistan team demonstrated confident play, securing a victory over the USA team with a score of 2.5:1.5 in the ninth round of the World Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand. Thanks to this result, Uzbekistan took the sole first place in the tournament table, accumulating 16 points. Currently, India, Armenia, and Uzbekistan-2 trail the leader by only one point.
During the match, Javohir Sindarov suffered his first defeat, losing to American Wesley So in the second board. Before this game, the Uzbek accumulated 5.5 points in seven encounters, including four wins and three draws, and remains a candidate for an individual medal. The National Bank of Uzbekistan provides support for preparation and participation in international competitions, including this Olympiad.
After the first loss against Germany, the main Uzbekistan team faced the USA team, which was the top seed by starting rating.
On the first board, Nodirbek Abdusattorov defeated Fabiano Caruana with the white pieces, and Nodirbek Yakubboev brought another point to the team by defeating Hans Niemann. Mukhiddin Madaminov drew with Levon Aronian. These results allowed Uzbekistan to beat the USA with a score of 2.5:1.5.
Uzbekistan-2 defeated Netherlands
The second Uzbekistan team showed an even more impressive result relative to its starting rating. This team, which started the Olympiad as the 30th seed, crushed the Netherlands, who were ranked sixth in the seeding, with a score of 3.5:0.5. Jakhongir Vakhidov defeated Anish Giri, Muhammadzohid Suyarov defeated Luca van Vel, and Ortik Nigmatov beat Erwin L'Ammi. Abdimalik Abdisalimov drew with Jordan van Foreest. Thus, Uzbekistan-2 earned 15 match points, entering the group of close pursuers to the main team.
Uzbekistan-3 defeated Kyrgyzstan
The third Uzbekistan team managed to beat Kyrgyzstan with a score of 2.5:1.5. The games of Saidakbar Saidaliyev, Bakhrom Bakhrillayev, and Mukhammadali Abdurakhmonov ended in draws. Asrorjon Omonov secured the winning point for the team, beating Timur Daudov on the fourth board. For Omonov, this was his seventh victory in seven games played at the Olympiad.
Results of key rivals
One of the most significant matches of the round was the game between India and Germany. The Indian team won with a score of 2.5:1.5. The decisive point in the match was brought by World Champion Gukesh Dhummadaraju, who defeated Alexander Dontchenko; the other three games ended in draws. After nine rounds, Gukesh scored 7.5 points.
France and China drew, both scoring two points. On the first board, Maxime Walsh-Lagrav defeated Ding Liren, but the Chinese team managed to avoid a loss overall. As a result, both teams received one match point.
Armenia defeated Azerbaijan, bringing their total to 15 match points, the same as India and Uzbekistan-2. Before the ninth round, both these teams had 13 points. Thus, after nine rounds, Uzbekistan leads with 16 points, while India, Armenia, and Uzbekistan-2 have scored 15 points each. Germany, China, and France have 14 points, while the USA and Azerbaijan remain with 13 points after their losses.
Situation in the women's tournament
In the women's tournament, the main Uzbekistan team lost to the reigning Olympic champions from India with a score of 1:3. Among the results: Afruza Khamdamova drew with Hampi Koneru, Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova lost to Divya Deshmukh, Nilufarxon Imomkuziyeva drew with Vantika Agrawal, and Guldona Karimova finished her game against Savita Shri in a draw.
Uzbekistan-2 defeated Iceland with a score of 2.5:1.5. In this game, Madinabonu Khalilov and Asal Salimova won their games, Marjona Malikova drew, and Mumtazbegim Mansurova lost to her opponent.
Uzbekistan-3 lost to Italy with a score of 1.5:2.5. The only win in the match went to Ozoda Shakhzodova, and Barchina Shokirjonova drew; Zilola Aktamova and Maftuna Bobomurodova lost.
Other notable results include China's victory over Armenia with a score of 3:1, as well as France's victory over Serbia (2.5:1.5). Matches between Kazakhstan and Mongolia and Georgia and Greece ended with a score of 2:2.
Uzbek players continue to fight for individual medals.
According to City Chess, after nine rounds, several Uzbek chess players are among the leaders in individual standings. Nodirbek Abdusattorov leads on the first board with a performance rating of 2880 after nine games. Third place among second board players is Javohir Sindarov with a performance of 2792. On the third board, Nodirbek Yakubboev leads with a rating of 2822 after eight games. Among reserves, Asrorbek Omonov shows the best performance—2976, although he has only played seven games so far. To be included in the final medal count, at least eight games must be played, meaning Omonov is missing one game.
In the women's tournament, Afruza Khamdamova ranks second among first board players with a performance of 2559 after eight games, trailing only Chinese player Zhu Jin'er with a score of 2645.
The distribution of individual Olympiad medals is based on tournament performance, i.e., the rating that reflects the player's results considering the strength of their opponents. Previously, the main criterion was the percentage of points scored, and to participate in the count, a minimum of eight games must be played.
Two rounds remain until the end of the Olympiad. The competition is held using the Swiss system over 11 rounds. Two points are awarded for a team victory, and one for a draw.
In the tenth round of the open tournament, the main Uzbekistan team, currently in first place with 16 points, will meet Armenia, which is in fourth place with 15 points. Uzbekistan-2, third in line with 15 points, will play against India, which is in second place with the same result. Uzbekistan-3 will play against Israel: the Uzbek team is ranked 53rd with 11 points, and the opponent is ranked 45th with 10 points.
Other important matches scheduled for the tenth round include Ukraine versus China, Germany versus France, Hungary versus Spain, and Greece versus the USA.
In the women's tournament, the main Uzbekistan team, ranked 15th with 13 points, will play Peru, also with 13 points. Uzbekistan-2 will meet Sweden, and Uzbekistan-3 will meet Kenya. The main event of the women's tournament will be the match between the leaders—China and India. Additionally, Kazakhstan will play France, Mongolia will play Poland, and Greece will play Armenia.
