R. Praggnanandhaa was in a spot of bother against Javokhir Sindarov but the Indian defended well to secure a draw. Arjun Erigaisi gained an early advantage against Shamsiddin Vokhidov and had his chance in the final moves but couldn't press through.

CHENNAI: Vantika Agrawal pulled a colony of rabbits from her hat to keep the women’s team withing handshaking distance of team gold at the ongoing Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Up against the US team, one of the front-runners behind the Indian side for a shot at gold,

International Master Vantika Agrawal's decisive win against Grandmaster Irina Krush ensured India drew 2-2 with the United States in the ninth round of the women's section at the 45th Chess Olympiad.

The Indian open and women’s teams were held to 2-2 draws in their respective ninth round matches at the Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest on Friday. While the open team drew against defending champions Uzbekistan, the women’s team were held by the United States of America.

India are still the table leader with a two-point lead over the US in the open section at Chess Olympiad 2024, while the women’s team is second, one point behind Kazakhstan, with two more rounds to go.

India, on sole lead with 17 match points, remains in a commanding position for the gold in the Open section and will face USA in Round 10 on Saturday