Chess Olympiad 2024: Gukesh's clutch win powers India past Germany 2.5-1.5
Synopsis
Gukesh was on the brink of defeat against Germany's Alexander Donchenko before engineering one of the tournament's most dramatic turnarounds. With both the Open and Women's teams now at 15 points and a blockbuster clash with leaders Uzbekistan and China looming in Round 10, India's Chess Olympiad campaign is at its most electrifying moment.
Key Takeaways
Dommaraju Gukesh secured a clutch win on Board 4 to give India a 2.5-1.5 victory over Germany in Round 9 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand .
India moved to 15 points in joint second place in the Open section; Uzbekistan lead with 16 points .
Gukesh was in a losing position playing black against Alexander Donchenko before staging a remarkable comeback.
India's women's team beat Uzbekistan 3-1 , with Divya Deshmukh and Ventika Agrawal winning their boards.
Savitha Shri's seven-game winning streak ended in a draw, but she remains unbeaten in the tournament.
China lead the women's section with 17 points ; India face them in a decisive Round 10 clash on Saturday .
Dommaraju Gukesh, the reigning World Classical Chess Champion, delivered a stunning comeback win to steer India past Germany 2.5-1.5 in the ninth round of the Open section at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand on 26 September. The victory propelled India to 15 points, lifting them to joint second in the standings and firmly back into title contention.
How India Sealed the Win
The match, played on Table 2, was a nervy affair for much of the day. R. Praggnanandhaa, playing white, was held to a draw by top German grandmaster Vincent Keymer. Arjun Erigaisi drew with Bluebaum Matthias, and Nihal Sarin was similarly held by Frederik Svane on the third board. With three draws, India appeared set to drop points for a second successive round.
Then Gukesh produced what can only be described as a Houdini act. Playing black against Alexander Donchenko on the fourth board, he was heading toward defeat before staging a precision-driven comeback to claim the decisive full point and hand India the match.
Where India Stands in the Open Section
The win took India to 15 points, level with Uzbekistan 2 and Armenia in joint second place. The main Uzbekistan team leads the standings with 16 points after defeating top-seeded United States in the same round. India now have Uzbekistan firmly in their sights heading into the final rounds of the tournament.
Indian Women Topple Uzbekistan 3-1
India's women's team also produced a strong showing, defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 to stay in title contention. B. Savitha Shri's remarkable run of seven consecutive wins came to an end after a draw against Karimova Guldona of Uzbekistan on the top table, though she remained unbeaten. Koneru Humpy, playing white, was held by top Uzbek player Afruza Khamdamova.
However, Women's World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh and Ventika Agrawal both won their respective games, securing the 3-1 result. The win took the women's team to 15 points, placing them in joint second alongside Kazakhstan and Mongolia.
China Lead Women's Section; Blockbuster Round 10 Awaits
China strengthened their grip on the women's section, defeating Armenia 3-1 to extend their lead to two points with 17 points overall. The stage is now set for a high-stakes 10th-round clash between China and defending champions India on Saturday, which could prove decisive in determining the tournament's outcome. Notably, Mongolia drew 2-2 with Kazakhstan in the same round, keeping the three-way battle for second place alive.
With two rounds remaining, India's chess contingent — in both the Open and Women's sections — face their toughest tests yet, but the momentum is firmly with them.
Point of View
And Gukesh delivered. The real test, however, is the Round 10 matchup with Uzbekistan in the Open and China in the Women's section; both opponents are battle-hardened on home soil or near it, and India's ability to win with black pieces under maximum pressure will define whether this campaign ends in history or heartbreak.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did India beat Germany at the 46th Chess Olympiad?
India defeated Germany 2.5-1.5 in Round 9 of the Open section thanks to a decisive win by Dommaraju Gukesh on Board 4. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin were all held to draws before Gukesh turned a losing position around to secure the lone win.
Where does India stand in the Chess Olympiad 2024 standings?
After Round 9, India's Open team sits in joint second place with 15 points , alongside Uzbekistan 2 and Armenia. The main Uzbekistan team leads with 16 points . The Women's team is also joint second with 15 points , with China leading on 17 points .
What happened with Gukesh against Alexander Donchenko?
Gukesh, playing black, was in a losing position against Germany's Alexander Donchenko on Board 4. He staged a comeback through precise play to win the game and hand India a crucial 2.5-1.5 match victory.
How did India's women's team perform in Round 9?
India's women's team beat Uzbekistan 3-1 . Divya Deshmukh and Ventika Agrawal won their boards, while B. Savitha Shri drew to end her seven-game winning streak, and Koneru Humpy was also held to a draw.
What is at stake in Round 10 of the Chess Olympiad?
In Round 10 on Saturday , India's Open team face tournament leaders Uzbekistan , while the Women's team take on leaders China . Both matches are effectively title deciders, with just two rounds remaining in the tournament.
