The 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest is witnessing a thrilling spectacle as India's young chess virtuosos continue to make their mark on the global stage. Round 4 saw a series of dramatic upsets, with top-seeded USA and defending champions Uzbekistan falling to Ukraine and Vietnam, respectively. Amidst this shake-up, the Indian teams emerged even stronger, solidifying their position among the tournament's frontrunners.
The Indian men's team continued their winning streak, convincingly defeating Serbia 3.5-0.5. The spotlight shone on Arjun Erigaisi, the "Mad Man of Chess," who delivered a captivating performance, showcasing audacious sacrifices and a relentless attacking style that culminated in a spectacular checkmate. Gukesh, poised to challenge the world champion later this year, further cemented his rising star status with a clinical victory, propelling him to the 5th spot in the live world rankings. The Indian women's team also displayed exceptional skill, triumphing over Switzerland 3-1, with Divya Deshmukh delivering a remarkable checkmate using a pawn.
These impressive victories have catapulted three Indian players - Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and Praggnanandhaa - into the top 10 of the live world rankings, a testament to the nation's burgeoning chess prowess. With the tournament heating up, eight teams, including India, are locked in a fierce battle for the podium finish. The competition is fierce, with Spain, China, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Poland, Hungary, and Ukraine all vying for top honors.
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