India reaches finals in Online Chess Olympiad as Koneru Humpy wins Armageddon

Koneru Humpy took the spotlight as she beat Monika Socko in a tie-break to help India beat Poland in the semifinals and reach the finals of the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad on Saturday (August 29).

After the two teams won one round each in regular play, world rapid champion Humpy was pitted against Socko for the Armageddon (a tie-break), and the Indian beat her rival in style with black pieces to clinch a spot in the final for her side.

India will play the winner of the other semifinal between Russia and the USA, in the summit clash on Sunday.

It was, however, not an easy job for the Indian team as it lost the first round 2-4 before bouncing back strongly in the second with a crushing 4.5-1.5 win. Humpy did the rest in the match-deciding tie-break.

With the two teams registering one victory each, the game went into Armageddon with Humpy having an advantage.

She had drawn against Socko in the first match, and won against her in the second.

Online Chess Olympiad: India advances to the final. Humpy Koneru is the hero of the day.https://t.co/fsPCpWJoPW @JagranNews @narendramodi #chess #india pic.twitter.com/rgTe1GyHc4

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 29, 2020

Former world champion Viswanathan Anand came into his own with a much-needed win over Jan-Krzystof Duda in 78 moves in the second round after losing to his opponent in the first round.

Captain Vidit Gujrathi led the way with a win over Gzegorz Gajeswki while Humpy and D Harika also posted victories.

Young prodigy R Praggnanandhaa, who replaced Nihal Sarin, was beaten by Igor Janik while Vantika Agrawal drew with Alicja Silwicka.

In the first round, Anand was tamed by Duda while Gujrathi lost to Radoslaw Wojtaszek.

Related news: Power outage issue: Chess players offered hotel rooms for online matches

Divya Deshmukh was beaten by Alicja Silwicka, overlooking the basic back rank mate.

Humpy and Harika drew against Socko and Karina Cyfika respectively. Humpy, in her second outing defeated Socko in 41 moves, while Harika outclassed Szczepkowska-Horowska.

Meanwhile, Sarin posted the only win for India, beating Igor Janik in the first round.

“We are through to the finals!!!! Nerves of steel @koneruhumpy !!! great games by everyone!,” Divya Deshmukh tweeted after the match.

We are through to the finals!!!!
Nerves of steel @koneruhumpy !!! great games by everyone!
Thanks everyone for your messages and support#chessteamindia #indiaop

— Divya Deshmukh (@DivyaDeshmukh05) August 29, 2020

(With inputs from agencies)