Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali star in strong start at Olympiad
BUDAPEST (HUNGARY): R Praggnanandhaa set the tone on the top board, as the Indian men’s team blanked Morocco 4-0, while the women romped home against Jamaica, conceding just a draw in the process, in the first round of the 45th Chess Olympiad here.
With world championship challenger D Gukesh taking a break in the opening round, Praggnanandhaa delivered the goods against Tissir Mohamed out of a Sicilian defense game while Vidit Gujrathi, Arjun Erigaisi and P Harikrishna also pulled off comfortable wins to start off confidently on Wednesday.
In the women’s section, R Vaishali and Tania Sachdev scored fine victories in the first time control itself. Praggnanandhaa was up against a Sicilian by top Moroccan Mohamed who had only himself to blame after the opening got over. The Indian teen had a stronghold on the king side that he utilised to the fullest to take the first point home for the team.
Not very far behind was Gujrathi who was clearly in his elements. He also got an opening advantage out of a King pawn game against Jacques Elbilia as he knocked down a pawn and never looked back.
Erigaise may have had to work harder but the youngster, who is currently ranked number four in the world, was never far from winning his game.
Harikrishna faced some initial resistance from Anas Mosyad in a closed Sicilian but his superior understanding of the structure gave him the vital point. In the women’s competition, Vaishali had no trouble in converting her position with black pieces as D Harika was rested on the top board. Tania Sachdev was in command right through and despite a little mess-up, she did not let the advantage slip through her hands playing on board four.