In Chess, star Indian Grandmaster and World champion Gukesh Dommaraju was held to a draw by his compatriot Divya Deshmukh in round 8 of the FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand last night. Playing Black, Divya defended solidly against Gukesh’s Rossolimo Attack and never allowed him an edge. After a six-hour marathon game that involved 103 moves, the two teenagers split the points.

 

 

The result adds to Divya’s impressive run in the Open section, where she recently defeated two Grandmasters. After eight rounds, Divya now leads Gukesh in the standings with four points, half a point ahead of the world champion.

In other results, Vidit Gujrathi lost to German grandmaster Vincent Keymer after blundering in an equal position, while Vaishali Rameshbabu was defeated by Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan.

 

 

India’s junior world champion Pranav Venkatesh impressed by drawing with two-time Candidates winner Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia. Grandmaster Nihal Sarin also played out a quick and effortless draw with Matthias Bluebaum of Germany, keeping Nihal in joint lead with 6 points after the end of the eighth round. Arjun Erigaisi drew with Shant Sargsyan of Armenia, and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu held Hungarian grandmaster Richard Rapport despite early difficulties.