Picture Credit: Twitter
Four Indian chess grandmasters are taking part in the individual events at the Asian Games 2023, which began on September 23. India have won four medals in Asian Games chess - two gold and as many bronze medals—and the players are looking to add to that tally after an impressive performance at the Chess World Cup earlier this year.
Two-time Asian Games gold medalist Koneru Humpy had won both her games on the opening day of the event but was held to a draw by Chinese player Zhu Jiner in women's individual chess round 3. India's 36-year-old grandmaster currently sits seventh after three rounds with 2.5 points.
Meanwhile, Harika Dronavalli lost her first game of the Asian Games 2023 against China's Hou Yifan. In the open category, Vidit Gujarathi and Arjun Ergaisi defeated Thailand’s Prin and Nguyen of Vietnam, respectively. Nodirbek Abdusattorov took down Amin Tabatabaei (2577, IRI) in the top board to gain the sole lead with a perfect record so far.
Arjun draws against Iran's Seyedmohammadamin Tabatabaei, Vidit continues his winning run in the fourth round
Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, the third highest ranked player, suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Kazakhstan's Kazybek Nogerbek in the second round, which had left him behind in the rankings, but came back registering back-to-back wins as he defeated Vietnam's GM Le Tuah Minh. Arjun had a golden opportunity to cement his place in the top three but faltered as he only managed a draw against Iran's Seyedmohammadamin Tabatabae.
Humpy suffered a crushing defeat to China’s Hou Yifan in women’s chess, while Harika drew against Uzbekistan's GM Nilufar Yakubbaeva. Humpy is sixth in the standings after four rounds with 2.5 points, while Harika dropped to seventh after this draw. In the open category, Arjun and Vidit are third and fourth, respectively, with three points each. The players will be back on September 26, for Rounds 5–7, with the last round scheduled for Wednesday, September 27.
