Chess Olympiad: Nihal saves the day for India; women have it easy

Nihal Sarin saved the blushes for India on day two of the Chess Olympiad at Samarkand. His win on the second board was the reason why India, the defending champion, could beat a much lower-rated Indonesia 2.5-1.5 in the Open section on Thursday.

Nihal, though, was in considerable trouble in his game against Arif Abdul Hafiz before he won in 37 moves. R. Praggnanandhaa, the in-form player who was making his first appearance in this edition of the Olympiad, World champion D. Gukesh and Vidit Gujrathi were all forced to draw their games.

Praggnanandhaa did try his best to stretch his opponent Susanto Megaranto, who, however, played solidly to ensure that the drawn rook-pawn endgame was indeed drawn, after 79 moves.

The Indian women, also the reigning champions, were more convincing than the men, just as they were in the opening round. They beat Finland 3.5-0.5.