India men beat Uzbekistan-2 3.5-0.5; Indian women draw 2-2 with China in 10th round of Chess Olympiad

India's men defeated Uzbekistan-2 3.5-0.5 and India's women drew 2-2 with China in the 10th and penultimate round of the 46th Chess Olympiad now in progress here on 2026-09-26.

World champion D Gukesh, GMs Nihal Sarin and R Praggnanandhaa were prominent in the Indian men's win, while B Savitha Shri secured the Indian women's point that ensured a 2-2 finish with leaders China; Savitha Shri's victory over Zhai Mo was her eighth in the event and took her to 8.5 points from nine games. In the open standings, Uzbekistan-1 moved to 18 points after another comprehensive victory, while India sit on 17 and occupy sole second place. In the women's section China reached 18 points, Kazakhstan moved to 17 after beating France, and India are third on 16 points.

In the match against Uzbekistan-2, Nihal Sarin was the first to score as he grabbed a couple of pawns early with his black pieces to force matters against Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov. D Gukesh followed by defeating Ortik NIgmatov, while Arjun Erigaisi drew on board two with Abdimalik Abdisalimov. R Praggnanandhaa completed the 3.5-0.5 victory by beating Jakhongir Vakhidov.

Open-section results from the round included Uzbekistan-1 (18) beating Armenia (15) 3.5-0.5 and India (17) beating Uzbekistan-2 (15) 3.5-0.5; individual outcomes in the India match were: R Praggnanandhaa beat Jakhongir Vakhidov; Arjun Erigaisi drew with Abdimalik Abdisalimov; Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov lost to Nihal Sarin; Ortik NIgmatov lost to D Gukesh.

The Indian women's 2-2 tie with China featured Koneru Humpy drawing with Zhu Jiner, Divya Deshmukh drawing with Song Yuxin, Vantika Agrawal losing to Lu Miaoyi and B Savitha Shri beating Zhai Mo. Other women's-section results reported were Kazakhstan (17) beating France 2.5-1.5, Mongolia (15) losing to Poland (16) 1-3, and Vietnam (16) beating Indonesia (14) 2.5-1.5.

India's men, on 17 points and in sole second spot, are well-placed to win the silver medal but, to repeat their gold-medal finish from the last Olympiad, they would have to win handsomely and also hope for an Uzbekistan loss in the final round. In the women's event China lead on 18 with Kazakhstan second on 17 and India third on 16, keeping the Indian women's hopes alive heading into the final round.