World Youth Chess Olympiad 2023:Round 7 & 8

India succumbed to 3.5-0.5defeat to Uzbekistan in 6^th round of World Youth Chess Olympiad in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Ashwath on first board drew against Begmuratov Khumoyun but all the team members lost all the games.  China crushed strong Turkey team by 3.5 to 0.5 margin to continue their lead in the tournament.

Retaliating loss in the 6^th round India Team won 3-1 against 24^th seed Italy in the 7^th round. Ashwath made a short work after opponent’s positional mistake in the French opening so did Harsh against Vincenti Leonardo of Italy. Arjun Adireddy and Tejaswini could not get much winning advantage and agreed to draw after logical continuation in ending.

In the evening session on 17^th Aug India standing on 14^th position after 7 rounds took on France team on board no-7. Ashwath survived two pawns down position in knight ending against Pichon Even of Franch and drew in the end. Compensating to this draw, Arjun Adireddy got a clear winning position in Sicillian Svenshikov variation from white side but blundered and lost the winning position. Harsh Suresh got a very dry and equal position from the start and could only draw the game in opposite colour bishop ending. Saviour of the Indian team was lone win from Tejaswini G on board 4. With series of correct exchanges she landed as exchange up and wrapped the game playing good technical game.

China has almost  won the Gold Medal with 15 match point and higher tiebreak point  followed by Turkey on 13 match points. India is on 14^th place after round 8 and a win in the last round can help India to finish much higher than seeding.