FIDE Chess Olympiad Round 7 | India vs England in Open, India vs Germany in Women

Painted faces, but not black and white. Made myself jealous when I saw you and I smiling in pictures like we're infinite. The hands turn and distance grows.

Boys don't cry, but my eyes bore.

We're just bits of a feather that can't stick together.

But even when you're gone and the watch keeps moving on, I'll always care for you like I do.

And even when I let go, In an empty mind, you always glow. Praying for clear tomorrows when we're lost and dusty. Yesterday's travelers on an unstoppable Realize frozen dreams aren't meant to be lived again. Will you think of me in some way? Oh, our wishes stay.

But you're a Ferrari in fifth gear, and I'm a brake.

I'm stuck in a loop, living in an idea from a child's mind. Different life, but you're still the one I'll beguile.

But even when you're gone and the watch keeps moving on, I'll always care for you like I do. And even when I let go in an empty mind, you always glow.

Saw frozen dreams with inked faces, but not black and white. Made myself jealous when I saw you and I smiling in pictures like we're infinite. The hands turn and distance grows.

Boys don't cry, but my eyes bore.

We're just buds of a feather that can't stick together.

But even when you're gone and the watch keeps moving on, I'll always care for you like I do.

And even when I let go, In an empty mind, you always glow. Praying for clear tomorrows when we're lost and dusty. Yesterday's travelers on an unstoppable Will you think of me in some way? Oh, our wishes stay. But you're a Ferrari in fifth gear, and I pray I'm stuck in a loop, living in an idea from a child's mind.

Different life used to be one of a kind. But even when you're gone and the watch keeps moving on, I'll always care for you like I do. And even when I let go in an empty mind, you always glow. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Infinite.

The hands turn and distance grows.

Boys don't cry, but my eyes bore.

We're just butts of a feather that can't stick together. Together, but even when you're gone and the watch keeps moving on, I'll always care for you like I do. And even when I let go. In an empty mind, you always glow. Praying for clear tomorrows when we're lost and dusty, yesterday's travelers on and Unstoppable train, realize frozen dreams aren't meant to be lived again. Will you think of me in some way? Oh, how I wish you'd stay. But you're a Ferrari in fifth gear, and I'm a brake. I'm stuck in a loop, living in an idea from a child's mind. Different lives used to be one of a kind.

But even when you're gone and the watch keeps moving on, I'll always care for you like I do. And even when I let go in an empty mind, you always glow.

Hello, hello, hello! Welcome everyone to the live stream. Here we have of the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026. This is your host Sagar Shah. After a day of little bit of resting and, uh, you know, everything set up, I'm actually, uh, watching the live stream here. Welcome to everyone. Big day today. Big day because yesterday was a rest day. Before that was a very, very tough day for Team India, uh, with India in the open section losing to Uzbekistan, and in the women's section we did win against USA. So what do we have on our hands today? Let me show you a few things so that you are aware of all that is happening. So let's check what are the standings after round six. So these are the standings right now. Team Uzbekistan as is at the top with six points out of six, and Bermuda के बारे में बताओ भाई. Rakshit भाई will tell you about the Bermuda party. So right now, Team Uzbekistan is on full points, sole leader. But below them are China and Armenia, who are on 11. Then France, Netherlands, Turkey, India, Greece, Germany. Oh my God! So many teams: England, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan. All are on 10 points. So today it's a very, very big, big massive day for us if we want to power ahead. And this is what we have in terms of the pairing. You can see Team India is on the 3rd spot right now, on the 3rd board, with, uh, taking on England. And in the English team, we have Nikita Vitiugov taking on Pragnananda. We have Adams, Michael Adams, the legend of chess, taking on Arjun. Nihal is playing today. He is taking on Luke McShane. And Fernandez Daniel Howard is taking on Gukesh. So these are the pairings that we have right now. And in the women's section, we have Chinese team and Kazakh team both on 12 out of 12. And then India is at number 2 position with the good game points over there. Why not Vidit? Vidit is not playing because I think the team decided to go ahead with the top 4 players again. Putting their trust in Nihal to, you know, play again. And in the women's section, we are facing today a very interesting opponent in the form of Germany. You will see that the captain of the team, Swayams Mishra, had a very tough task today. He had to either rest someone, you know, either continue with Vaishali, give a rest to Divya or Hampi. Because Savita is on five out of five, so he decided to rest Vantika, which may be an interesting decision because Vantika is playing so well. She's on four and a half out of five. She beat Irina Crush, but Dinara Wagner versus Koneiro Humpy, Elizabeth Pates versus Vaishali, Cleck Hannah Mary versus Divya, and Lara Schulz versus Savita. So these are the pairings. that we are looking at. And I'm actually very, very pumped up today. I must tell you that, uh, there was the Bermuda party day before yesterday. We decided to go around 11 o'clock or so, and I came back at almost 3 AM. I was there till 3 AM. Um, I— for me personally, the last 6 days have been all about, uh, you know, streaming, doing videos, I had very little exercise. So, I used the Bermuda party to dance so much that I was like feeling very fit. You know, sometimes you need that movement. And I was very happy that some of the Indian players came. I must say that sometimes people misrepresent things online thinking that, oh, they are just coming to celebrate or something. I think for them it was more about just unwinding, relaxing a bit after a very stressful day. And Mukesh came, Vidit came, uh, Vantika came. Um, so these were the players who, who were there. Rest of them did not come, but it was very nice. Uh, we spent some time, we danced a bit. And then, uh, yesterday I came to deliver a talk at the Women's Commission, uh, of FIDE, and, uh, In the— in Nihal did not join the party on the other day. Everyone, I'm sure you're worried about Nihal, but I, after the Women's Commission talk that I had on business of chess, I was asked to talk on that. I went to— there was a paddle court next door, and there they were playing, the entire Indian team, and I did meet everyone. I saw them. I didn't disturb them at all, but I saw Nihal playing there and he's one of the best padel players in the team. I mean, he's maybe the best by a margin. He's so good and he was playing very, very well, I think, focused. I think his way of kind of unwinding himself is through sports, through padel, sometimes pickleball and all of these, I think badminton. So yeah, that's how the team was preparing itself. I'm sure they put in the effort and today We are taking on England. I just want to show you how everything looks at the venue. This is how things are today. People are coming in as the round is supposed to begin in a bit. This is maybe the top board clash. Let me see if I can show you the. This is where Team India will face England today. Pranav BBN says, that's pretty reassuring to hear, Sagar bhai. Thanks for the update on the players. Yeah, uh, you know, guys, uh, we, we do think that, uh, all these emotions are of course very tough for the players to handle, but I've learned one thing after seeing them again and again. I've learned that they are also thorough professionals, all of And I really, really am impressed to see how they are able to come back, strike back every single time. And I remember I actually told Nihal when we were coming to Uzbekistan in the flight that, you know, I was very impressed with how you made a comeback at the Global Chess League when you lost the key game for your team to qualify in the finals against Pranesh. And then next day you come in and win both the games against the same opponent. That shows really strong mental capacity. And you know, Nihal as always just shrugged it off and he was like, yeah, I mean, I just played, I just played chess. I think that's how he looks at things, um, and that was very— I think he will just come today and give his best is what I feel. Let's, uh, let me show you something very cool that has been prepared by our friend, uh, Shitij. Um, so this is something that he had made Which is the forecast on how the teams are going to— what are the medal chances now. So you will see that Team Uzbekistan's gold medal chances have risen to 42.8%, China to 16.5%, and USA to 8.3%. And these are all the permutations, combinations. You can see India is somewhere, um, There, you know, these are the 3 medals you can see of the teams, uh, the gold. And yeah, you can see these are the medal probabilities that are there for the team. And, uh, India still has good chances even though only 8.2%, and USA has 8.3%. India's silver chances are 13.9 and USA is 69.6. Where can we see this online? I, I think it's basically, uh, uh, Shitij's GitHub. I will put the link in the description, uh, in a bit, uh, so then that way, uh, let's look at, uh, I, I think there are team details of each team. You can see that this is the rating average of, uh, Of team Uzbekistan, medal chances seventy percent. They have medal chances. Expected rank, and this is very cool what has been created by him. I was very interested in checking board medals actually. You will see that on board one right now, Nodirbek Abdusattarov is playing really well. He's on four and a half out of six. एरडोगमस इज़ फोर एंड हाफ आउट ऑफ़ फाइव, सो यास कान एरडोगमस प्लेइंग ब्रिलिएंटली एक्चुअली। अनिश गिरी इज़ ऑन फाइव आउट ऑफ़ सिक्स, ही वाज़ फोर आउट ऑफ़ फाइव देन गोट अ वॉकओवर। ही वाज़ फोर आउट ऑफ़ फोर देन लॉस्ट टू प्रग। प्रग इज़ ऑन थ्री आउट ऑफ़ फाइव हियर। ऑन बोर Is on also four out of five. Wei is on four out of five. You can see Arjun is on two and a half. So Arjun is right now needs to do some catching up if he wants the board medal. On board three, Yakubov is doing well four and a half. You can see all Uzbek players performing brilliantly. And then on board number 4, we have Gukesh. This has been, uh, one of the happy things for Team India. Gukesh doing really well, 5 out of 6 here. Hopefully he can also do well today. Um, let's look at also the women section, uh, and you will see that, uh, in the women's section, the board medals are— Zhu Jin'er is doing well right now with 3.5 out of 4. Karisa Yip, Narwamai. Uh, board number 2, we have Alice Lee and Yuxin Song. And board number 3, Divya Deshmukh. Wow, she's doing well. Uh, 3.5 out of 5. I think this is by rating performance, not just by points, right? दिव्या का परफॉर्मेंस इस 2476, एंड देन वी हैव बोर्ड नंबर फोर, वंतिका अग्रवाल प्लेइंग ब्रिलिएंटली। आई थिंक इंडियन विमेन्स टीम इस बीइंग कैरीड बाय बोर्ड्स फोर एंड फाइव, वंतिका ऑन फोर एंड हाफ आउट ऑफ़ फाइव एंड द रिजर्व बोर्ड सविता इज़ ऑन फाइव आउट ऑफ़ फाइव। वी क percent. Uh, China has very high in the women. Kazakhstan has 27.8 and India has 10.7. Let's see if we are able to today do well in women as well. Our opposing team is Germany. Uh, not so easy, I must say. German teams supposedly are very, very, uh, have very good bonding amongst them, are very fighting. In nature, so they are very good. I think lot of you are hoping that today Team India manages to score four out of four wins, and that would be amazing. But you can see the English team has arrived on board number one. You can see board number two is Michael Adams. Now I don't know how many of you are aware of Michael Adams, but this guy is an absolute legend. He has been the top English player for years. I would say just like what Vishy Anand has been for India, Michael Adams has been for England. Maybe you can argue a bit that Nigel Short and Michael Adams, both legends in their own right. But I think Michael Adams has reached a higher peak rating. Adams' attack— I mean, Adams' Uh, he's as old as the hill, as the hill says. It's Sajin. Yeah, I mean, I think overall Michael Adams has invented many, many different systems as well in chess. That's how famous he is. And he will be taking on Arjun Erigaisi today. That will be a very exciting clash. Let's see if the women board is here. You can see the German team has already arrived. The Indian team often comes a bit late. Uh, you can see Elizabeth Paetz is here on board 2, and Elizabeth Paetz is a GM. So I think today, uh, Vaishali will have a very, uh, important role to play because it's not going to be easy for her. And she, by the way, Elizabeth Paetz just has recently become a mother, so that will be very interesting, uh, how she manages, uh, to, to take care of all of that, you know, the, the responsibility. She's here with the Chess Moms program that is done by the FIDE Women's Commission to take care of mothers. Uh, basically they provide, I think, the costs of another person, accompanying person, traveling, taking care of the kids so that the mother Can play in the tournament. That is really amazing. You can see the other two German players. Lara Schulz is here, and also Kleck Hannah Mary. And we have our first super chat of today. That is, can you cover Uzbekistan China today when India's games are done? That's a good idea. I can try and see if we can. You can see Humpy, by the way, just arrived. This is the game of Armenia and USA. Women's board one is also here. Yeah, I'll try to include. Maybe I have some cams here from. I will try to see if we are able to also show you the games of Uzbekistan versus China. But right now, the English team is here and joining me right now all the way. Whoa!

Hello, hello. Harshad, bye. कैसे हो?

Bye. Bye क्या हुआ?

Bye. I got like a football hit on my face.

So.

And I was wearing glasses.

Oh my God!

So थोड़ा यहाँ पे लगा है, but it's fine भाई। भाई मुझे तो लगता है कुछ बर्मुडा पार्टी में हो गया भाई। नहीं भाई। बर्मुडा पार्टी में क्या होगा भाई?

Oh भाई हर्षित भाई always bringing in some excitement here। भाई कैसे भाई? Like I was wearing glasses and then when a ball hits the वो जो glass रहता है वो ऐसा अंदर में जाता है। But I met you yesterday night तभी था already। अच्छा तब आपने लगाया नहीं था ये भाई सांस लेने को जम रहा है you are able to breathe हाँ जम रहा है भाई all is well all is well भाई all is well guys हर्षित भाई को take care TC हर्षित भाई please in the chat हर्षित भाई always crazy things happening to him I will also ask our a big shout out to our director साहब today विवेक भाई who has been helping us and Prag is here And thank you, Vivek bhai. If you can also provide me one button for the China-Uzbekistan match, that would be really amazing. Bars को refresh करना before the start, says Harsh Rakshit bhai. Sure, bhai.

All right, thank you, bhai. It's not a big deal, guys. ये तो होते रहता है sports में। Everyone cares for you a lot. Thank you, guys.

So इसके लिए Everyone's worried for you, Harshit bhai.

I mean, when you're playing sports, these things happen.

Yeah, I know. Yeah, Harshit, we are always curious what we— what mode he will come in, you know. First I was curious always what he will wear for the round, but now I am curious like what What happened on his face? Something, some tattoo. But he's here, guys. What is important is Harshit bhai is here.

Let's go.

If he doesn't turn up, then I'm worried. अरे भाई भाई कि भाई क्या हो गया? Where is Harshit bhai?

Okay okay.

We have we had a match of football yesterday between FIDE and Asia team.

Asia there were many teams. Europe was there. Caribbean was there.

And Harshit bhai played for Asia team.

Yes.

Did you do well, Arshid bhai?

I did quite well actually.

Did Asia team win?

We won against, uh, I think the America's team, but we lost to Europe 2-1. We were leading 1-0 after the first half, but then, uh, they played really well, so they won 2-1. But a lot of fun, bhai. I love football.

So by the way, we have a team today, and you can see that 3 of our boys are here, and Nihal is not there. Nihal Sareen is not yet in the frame. Where is Nihal? Is the big question. But Prague versus Vichy Gov, by the way, Aditi Singh Rathore says sorry for the tight slap, Harshit bhai. But if you won't take me to Barbuda, Harshit, यही करूँगी। अरे अरे अरे भाई। ऐसी भाई है। And there we see, by the way, I love this decision of Nihal playing again. Like I also think, by the way, did you read what the team did yesterday?

I loved Shreenath. They gave him the, the man of the match for yesterday, and, uh, for him to create those chances with the black pieces and giving his best. And, uh, I think that was a very nice gesture by the Indian team towards Nihal, right?

Meanwhile, guys, we can see here that, um, the Uzbek-China encounter is about to begin.

That's a big one for us.

That because भाई China के लिए root कर रहे हैं भाई सब लोग everyone is like भाई Ding bhai let's go and I think we have lift off in all the sections and let's just see if we are able to catch the handshake yes games have started भाई Nihal Sarin नहीं आया अभी तक what there is no zero tolerance right Nihal Sarin is not here no arbiter starts the clock राजेश जीरो टू टू एट राजा दिस थिंग्स हैपन व्हेन यू प्लेइंग स्पोर्ट्स सागर आई नो हाउ डू यू नो सागर चेस इज़ नॉट अ रियल अरे अरे अरे समय भाई की बातें मत लाओ भाई इधर एंड निहाल भाई इज़ हियर लेट्स गो निहाल कालसन ले बोल रहे हैं लोग लेट आने के लिए Okay, I'm very curious to see what Nihal Sarin's game is. Should we?

Oh, by the way, Prague starts with the French opening.

Pragna Nanda is here. He is like, bye, meh. Today, Arshid bhai, we made a small update thanks to Rakshit bhai. If you see, we flipped the board and the live board has also flipped. कल तक नहीं हो रहा था, भाई. लोग were getting confused. तो रक्षित भाई made the improvement, sent it to Leeches. Leeches ने अपने पूरे वेबसाइट पे वो चेंज इंट्रोड्यूस किया। भाई, insane. So रक्षित भाई powering not just us but also Leeches and the world of chess. भाई रक्षित भाई को कुछ देना चाहिए, city of chess ऐसा कुछ नाम। Yeah, I think these small changes actually improve the broadcast quite a bit.

So so amazing.

So when camera wants yes.

Okay, so Prague starts with French, and I think this kind of shows that he wants to just play a dynamic game. He doesn't necessarily want to be solid. If he plays e takes d five, तो डायनामिज्म तो गया विंडो के बाद। But I mean, with white, you would want to you would want to play for a win, right?

Let's go.

With Hugo is like bye हराना Prague.

Prague.

Let's go. Let's go for the win ever.

I think he'll go knight f six. Never में ही win लिखा है। By knight f six. Guys, Knight f6 is incoming.

Is Vityugov English number one or?

Yes, Knight to f6 played.

I think David Howell's rating is slightly higher now, but David is not playing here; he's commentating. If you want to follow, I think Chess24 has his commentary. Yeah, you can check it out. Sagar bhai के पास वाले का नाम क्या है? अरे नाम में क्या रखा है भाई? वो है ना हर्षित भाई's presence precedes his name. राजेश predict all four boards each correct prediction five gifted subs oh five membership देंगे five memberships okay okay let's start with you let भाई आप करो भाई you are the best आप जो बोलोगे वो मैं ले लूँगा first board बोलो draw draw yeah भाई मेरा प्रेडिक्शन बोल देता हूँ। हाँ बोलो भाई। But we will have to agree upon something. He cannot give for both, right?

हाँ right right.

तो ऐसे हो जाएगा। Correct. I am saying India wins four nil.

Four nil.

Four nil. भाई। नहीं। अगर ये जीता तो मैं ही देता हूँ पचास सब्सक्राइबर्स। Okay okay तो then let's go for that हर्षित भाई। Let's play big। Sure। Because when we play big, we get a bandaid on our nose पर मजा आता है तो मजा आना चाहिए। and भाई four zero is crazy भाई। होगा भाई believe in them, believe in our stars. Nimai Bolar says yesterday I was playing a game of chess wondering how Nihal could have lost and then in the next move opponent forked my queen and king. अरे same like वो Nihal के game में। and then we have SVCB Sagar भाई can't miss your stream even I am in office. Let's strike India. Harshit भाई which is your favorite football club team? भाई Real Madrid always big supporter Harshit भाई। अरे यार But on a serious note, it is Manchester United.

नहीं नहीं भाई वो पूरा complete अलग ही आपने zones ला लिएगा भाई La Liga में Sorry sorry Barcelona.

बाहर से बाहर से हर्षित भाई is Barcelona fan. Okay by the way Bishop G4 played and I am expecting Prag to go Bishop E5.

I am expecting D takes E4.

और और हर्षित भाई the Macachian with bishop b four do you know this line e five h six and now the latest bishop c one back yeah is going back so let's see if this craziness happens let's move on to our second board Arjun with the white pieces this is a big match भाई निहाल भाई तो already खड़े हो गए suit उठ निकाल रहे हैं देखो Look at him.

He's like, "Bye, आज तो छोडूंगा नहीं।" And you could kind of see the difference between the media presence around. Yes, the day before yesterday there were so many people around.

I have a feeling, Arshid bhai, that the media is still there but they are here on Uzbek China. You can see there a lot of people in this crazy encounter, guys. China in red but Ding Liren like the captain. He's saying, "Bye, मैं अपना red निकाल के blue में बैठा हूँ." भाई बट चाइना को रेड कलर सूट होता है, ड्रैगन इन रेड। Exactly. Red dragon.

And guys, they if they win, that increases our chances for a gold medal. So we are definitely rooting for China in that matchup. Let's come back to Arjun's board.

And can I ask you one question? Yeah. During Chess Olympiad, India का GDP कम क्यों हो जाता है?

Because everyone is flying to that country, or?

No, because everyone at that point is actually watching our streams and not working from office. ठीक है, everyone थोड़ा ज़्यादा हो गया, but some are watching. Sagar and team is doing commentary very well.

अरे thank you so much.

Thank you so much. Let's go to the board of Arjun because Harshit bhai There has been the London system.

Yeah, and this is Arjun's one of the go-to openings. He goes for knight d two, c five, c three, bishop d six, and bishop g three back. And the idea is that you want black to take your bishop on g three so that you recapture with the h pawn, opening your rook right here. So I think this will be a positional affair. But my prediction for this board is Arjun will win.

My standings भी आ रहा है नीचे. ओ भाई, ओ भाई बार में standings भी आ रहा है, बार भी आ रहा है। ओ भाई भाई भाई, crazy king effort? No way. Castle किया रहेगा भाई। Yeah. And you know what, Arshad bhai, if you think about Arjun versus Adams, it's not just a clash of generations, but when Adams what was at his peak, London system was considered to be a toothless opening. And Arjun is playing that opening. So it's like not just clash of styles, clash of generations, it's also clash of ideas. Like, how is Adams thinking about this?

Exactly. And I think the way Adams thinks is going to be a bit different than how Arjun thinks, because as you said, Arjun has grown up in a different generation. He comes up with more creative ideas, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if at some point he just plays the move pawn to f4 and just changing the character of the position.

You think it's playable?

Well, he just played bishop d3. But let's say after knight c six.

No way, Arshitha. It's possible, yeah? To play f four.

I mean, I think it's too risky. It's risky, but we wouldn't be. I wouldn't be surprised if something along these lines is tried by the knight here.

Exactly.

And then put the bishop. Interesting. Let's see what Arjun and Adams does in this. Like you know, generally white goes here, sometimes plays h four, h five. It's a very interesting setup.

Right.

Let's go to Nihal Sarin, the big one here. Because Nihal Sarin is taking on Luke McShane with black pieces. That is going to be interesting. And Nihal bhai का preparation देखते हैं। First he comes one minute late.

Bishop b5 and he goes for this move knight ge7. This is a slightly rare move in my opinion, but has been picking up recently. Knight to c3. But ये move थोड़ा समझाओगे क्या लोगों को कि knight g7 का क्या मतलब Well, it's a rare move, and you want to recapture back on c6 with the knight. The other point of this move is that quite often you can place your pawn on g6 and bishop on g7. And the other idea, as you can see, that Nihal played is to play knight to g6, protecting the pawn on e5 in case white takes the knight on c6. White goes d4, takes, takes, queen takes d4.

By taking with knight is sometimes rare, right? You usually take with the pawn.

But after knight takes d4, you would anyways have to take, right? Otherwise white can potentially get knight f5. So they they just transpose to exchanging everything. C6 bishop back to e2 queen b6 trying to trade the queens and open up your rook. White declines goes back queen d3 bishop e7 castles castles a4 Luke McShane seems to be well prepared. He is trying to gain some space with a5.

d6 played by Nihal, and you can see Nihal is blitzing out, but also Luke McShane is blitzing out. I have a question. I want to see how many in the chat are well known, have a good chess knowledge. Luke McShane was given a title: the strongest dash in the world. Do you know what the strongest? What is there in the dash?

The strongest.

Dash in the world. You have to tell him.

I know Gary said this.

I don't know if Gary said it, but it's like factual. At some point he was the strongest— yes, Sagar, next draws.

Amateur.

Strongest amateur in the world of chess. Why? Because he had a full-time job of a trader. He was trading. I think he's still doing it. I have to check with him. And he was the highest rated player. I think he was about 2700.

Yeah, he was very strong. And he's also very active these days. Well, not as not for playing, but for researching about chess because very often I see his tweets and he's talking about engines.

And maybe that is Matthew Sadler.

Sorry, I'm confused. I'm getting it confused.

Yeah. By the way, he's set up a very nasty trap. I feel if of jumping with the knight here, right? So if you play bishop, he saves. He's going to go knight d5.

That's an incredible idea that you just highlighted, because this forces black to give up a bishop. Because if you— you cannot take with the c-pawn. Well, that's the main point, because you lose the queen on c7. And if bishop takes d5, you take back on d5 with the e-pawn, and you enjoy the bishop pair advantage and space. So actually, Nihal tried to surprise Luke McShane in the opening, but Luke is well prepared. And generally, if you play a slightly offbeat line and your opponent knows how to react, you will get slightly worse. So I think Nihal is slightly worse here as Luke is blitzing out the moves.

Yeah, this is actually bad news for Nihal in some ways. It's not like bad, but it's a little unfortunate because when you, as you rightly said, when you play a sideline, you really want your opponent to take time. And when he is like what thirty-three forty-seven, now you have played a side like plus opponent as time. ये थोड़ा ठीक रही है. By the way, we had a super chat Harshit bhai, which was by Yash Mehta. He says Kohinur वापस चाहिए जब हम जीते. अरे four nil पे मिलेगा भाई.

But this is not at all an easy match guys. England is a very experienced team. Michael Adams, if you guys have not heard of him, has been a top, top player, uh, in 1990s.

Uh, one of the big competitors of Vishy Anand.

Exactly. Uh, Luke McShane has also been over 2700. Uh, let's go finally to the game of Gukesh, as Gukesh is playing with the white pieces and is again going to be a board where we have a mismatch. Because look at Daniel Fernandez's rating, it's 2542. Playing against Gukesh with the white pieces, I think Gukesh would be looking to strike, and my prediction is that Gukesh will win this.

And he's played the advanced French. Yeah, one of the favorite weapons of Amruta. I hope she will join us soon and she'll enjoy this. But Harshit bhai, I am really surprised by Daniel Fernandez's opening choice because. He went for knight c6, knight f3, and then bishop d7 is all well known. But suddenly knight e7 is okay. And now I usually would put my knight on f5. Yeah, because you're putting pressure here.

Exactly.

Before, that is the point where you want to put pressure.

There was actually a very famous game played recently between Magnus and Prag where Magnus played, uh, with white, but Prag had won in Norway Chess, if I'm not mistaken, where, uh, white— black played knight f5 and a quick पॉन्ड टू एफ सिक्स ब्रेक, but I guess Daniel was not fully aware of this because he thought for about eight-nine minutes before playing knight g six and bishop e three. On the contrary, blitz out by Gukesh and I'm very surprised with this.

Firstly, Daniel playing French, then taking time. I mean, you would of course expect Gukesh to go e four. So you have prepared French. Then he plays advanced variation, which is one of the main lines.

Right.

So you play and you prepare, but then you take time. Gukesh should be surprised. And now Bishop e3. So I think already a good start for Gukesh.

This is a positive sign for sure, where he's blitzing out the moves, his opponent is not, and, uh, White has a very clear plan. So I think Gukesh's board looks good. And Bishop e7 has been played here, uh, I guess white can just continue with something like rook to e1 or knight bd2, continue developing the pieces, and at some point black will need to make a decision whether he wants to play f6 or not. But guys, it's early days, but I think it has definitely started on the right track because Gukesh is still in prep.

How do you feel about India's 4 boards? So for example, Gukesh, good.

Gukesh good.

Arjun played London interesting.

Right.

Board number 3, Nihal seems a bit slightly worse out of the opening.

I would say so, yeah.

And Pragg on board 1 seems a little bit, uh, uh, I mean, he's playing with black French, he's playing with black.

So, uh, I think this will be a very— this will be a close match actually. I don't— I would be very surprised if we have something like 4-0. Because England is a formidable team, and I think we should be very happy even with.

On a serious note, two and a half, one and a half would be a good score. But yeah, but bye, Apun. अच्छा। इस इस से तो risk है। We are going to take risk, and we see Pragnananda here. It's time for us to go to the women's section.

Okay.

But before that, I want to just make a point that you know often we see. a lot of geopolitical things happening in the world where you see 2 countries are at kind of war and many things are happening, right, in current scenario. But you will also see that at some point these 2 countries become friends and start their trade, everything, right? And these are the things which are constantly happening in the world. And even in this tournament, if you see, suddenly all the Indian players are rooting for China, right? You know, like India-China is usually a battle everyone is looking forward to. Like India जीतेगा पर आज we are like by China. आज आप लोगों को जीतना है because they are the ones who are taking on Uzbekistan and you can see here it's a very intense clash that is happening between them and because China is on eleven and Uzbek is on twelve match points, we would love that China wins. and moves to 13 so that India moves to 12 and then faces China.

And we are just in 1-point distance of this, of the leaders. So I think, uh, we are surely expecting China to do well, but, uh, they are playing against the in-form team of Uzbekistan. And I'm— do you want to just quickly check the openings of, of their boards? I'm very curious. Ding playing on board 1 against Nodirbek.

Actually, what I will do here, Harshit Bhai, is try to get the board only here. So meanwhile, if you can just read the chat, I will get it in a second.

China has the best chance of beating Uzbekistan, says Amit Rao. I agree, I agree.

Somehow I feel if China can't do it, then maybe USA after that, but then But then there might not be too many other teams that can pose problems. I thought Germany would be one, but the way in which China beat Germany yesterday has pushed back Germany as well.

And Germany plays against Turkey today. That's another exciting match.

And our viewers did say that we want to look at China-Uzbekistan थोड़ा deep में Because there is a lot of interest there.

Oh, for sure.

So let's first start with Ding Liren and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Early days in this game. Very well known Queen's Gambit decline position.

But it feels like Nodirbek has seen this before because look at the speed with which he's blitzing out the moves.

भाई नोदिरबेक सारा ओपनिंग पढ़ के आता है और डिंग लिरेन वो बच्चा है जो बोर्ड पे सोचता है But North Uzbekistan, he knows all his prep. But it's early days here, so equal. Uh huh. Sindaro versus Wei. Oh. भाई, Wei Sindaro को हरा सकता है। Yeah, but look at the clock.

Javokir has one hour thirty four minutes on his clock. Wei has one hour twenty three minutes.

भाई, Uzbek वाले क्या preparation है?

They're really well prepared.

Guys, you know this is not out of coincidence that Uzbekistan is doing so well.

I'm sure their team has लॉट ऑफ सेकंड्स, लॉट ऑफ पीपल वर्किंग बिहाइंड द सीन्स। एंड दे समहावेबल टू प्रिडिक्ट एक्जैक्टली व्हाट देर अपोनेंट अपोनेंट इज़ गोना डू। बिकॉज़ इफ यू इफ यू रिमेम्बर, शामसिद्धिन वोकीदोव गोट हिज प्रिपरेशन इन अगेंस्ट गुकेश। एंड दैट वाज़ एक्चुअली वन ऑफ़ द की ब White to play.

What is a crazy move you can play here?

I'll just get some tea. Do you want some tea?

No, man. Well, the move is knight to d five. Yes, those who found this amazing, it's crazy. Can same match happen again in the tournament? No, one team faces one team only once, guys. Knight d5, ed, ed. And if this happens, this would be insane. You know, pawn is pushing forward, you can't castle here because the queen is looking here, the bishop pops out, the rook moves in. This could be a very dangerous sacrifice, and maybe Javakir has to go long castle. d6, Queen d7 only move, and now h4 with a crazy idea. Let me ask how many of you are alert? I want very quick answer. White to play and win. Actually, this is a good move that I played. Not, not this. I will play something else. Let me do h5. White to play and win. Let's go. Yes, Chinmay Kedaskar has found it, but even before him there was Tushar Kaur. Well done, Devesh versus Sasi Kumar. Devil Gamers, guys, you are so fast, so fast. Bishop h3 loses the queen here, and that's why Rook e8 was— oh, he's played it! He's played Knight d5, ed5 on the board. I want to see Javokil Sindharo. And by the way, you can see Temur Radjabov over there, he's looking at that game. And Yakubov has gotten up. He's looking. My goodness, where he comes in with some crazy stuff. I want to check my database on ChessBase and Mega Database if this has happened before. Let me copy the PGN. I'm opening it up in ChessBase right now to see if this has happened any time before on the live database. No games found. In fact, In this position, before knight d5, there were already two games. Klimkovski had played bg2, but he goes knight d5, e5, and Javokir Sindarov responds long castling five. Javokir Sindarov का क्या preparation है? I can't believe it. Insane. Meanwhile, Sagar bhai, I'm a beginner. I want to learn enough chess to understand your commentary. How do I proceed? Addy Mufc, my suggestion is to look at. My hundred episodes with Samay that is improving chess. I think you will enjoy it and also improve. People in the chat like rooting for China, but Queen D7 played. You know, Javokir Sindarov is even in a difficult position playing so fast, and H4 Rook E8. He's intimidating. वे ही वे ही को कौन intimidate कर सकता है? And look at the number of people gathering there. Insane this is. भाई क्या चल रहा है ये यहाँ पे? I am curious to see how this game develops. Sagar भाई, how's the Josh after Bermuda party? भाई देखेंगे आज कैसा होता है. But Bermuda party was really amazing. It's one of my favorite things at the Olympiad to have 200 countries people from all over meet and be relaxed and you can talk with just about anyone. That's just so nice, so nice. I mean, keeping aside all these things about dance and you know Bermuda party tradition and all, just meeting people is too good. भाई ये मुझे तो लग रहा है सिंधारोव को सब पता है। He has come prepared. This is move number nineteen. He must have prepared all the way till move twenty five thirty. Bishop h three Amit Rao says, but Bishop h three Rookie says. We have Vivek Badak, who says everyone's heart was broken after the last match. But mark the words, India will go all guns blazing from here onwards and win the tournament.

Bye.

आपके मुंह में घी शक्कर if this happens. But it is going to be tough for sure. It's not going to be easy at all. दिव्य श्रीवास्तव अगर आज हम जीते तो इंग्लैंड को तीन गुना लगान देना पड़े अरे अरे भाई भाई रुक H E eight has been played here and we are seeing what will Wei do Wei ऐसे थोड़ा सोच में पड़ गया let's look at another game Wei versus Nodirbek Yakubov यहाँ पर you sorry Wei versus Wei नहीं Yu Yangyi versus Nodirbek Yakubov And we see another interesting Petrov. But पूरा चाइना का टीम पेट्रोफ साथ में प्रिपेयर करता है। They are like so solid. Takes b5 and 93. I am telling you guys, Yu Yangyi is going to cause the point today. Like he's going to cause the upset. He's going to beat not an upset. He's going to beat Yakubov, the man in form, the man who actually beat Nihal Sarin and gave Uzbekistan the win. I think today. It's time for Yu Yangyi to shine today. Madamino gets to play, not Samshitin Vokidov, and Madamino already better against Zhu Ziyangyu. Oh my, this is dangerous! I think Uzbekistan is banking on this board to score. What? What is this? What is this? But this is preparation by Zhu Ziyangyu. Why time देखो? 135 for Zhu Xiangyu, 113 for Madamino, but Black's position is better. Raju Chaurasia says, why Rook h8 instead of— oh, that's a good question, Raju Chaurasia. He asks that why did Javokir Sindarov not play King b8 here? Because after Bishop h3, he can move the queen That is excellent. But look at this, Raju. After this, your queen becomes passive, and there is a crazy move here that can be played. Can you find it? White to play. A brilliant move. Let's see. Harshit Bhai has just gone to have a tea. He's not feeling well. Can we have Rajabao in the commentary? Rajabao is the captain of Azari team, so he cannot move out from the game. Once the captain comes out of the hall, they cannot come back again. These are the anti-cheating measures. Yes, Ranade, Sachin Ranade with the move. Bhushan Shah, rage baiting Socrates. भाई क्या आप लोग क्या खाते हो? Neuro खाते हो कि क्या? इतना बड़े आंसर rookie seven. Tremendous, tremendous. I think this is definitely some kind of the neuro focus moves of the day, guys. मतलब too good. This is this is the kind of moves That I would expect. What a move! Incredible move! Rook e7, bishop e7, d7, and rook d1. You even take this with a check. Let the queen come here. I go for a check. King a8, bishop d7, queen b8, queen takes b8. Oops, sorry. Queen takes b8, king takes b8, queen Rook takes, bishop takes f six, and this is a draw. I think it's a draw. ये अगर हुआ guys, ये अगर हुआ तो मेरे को तुम award देना भाई award देना। Oh Gukesh is coming and watching Wei versus Sindaro. Oh what a scene! What a scene! Where is Sindaro? Oh my god! Gukesh is like भाई इसके साथ world championship खेलना है मेरे को Wow! This is just insane. Let's see if this, by the way, this won't happen because he went rook h eight. So I think bishop h three, rook e six, and here I don't know how deep way's preparation goes. But if you take, I take, you have two bishops. I have a rook, g4, g5, rook h1. I think white's position is very interesting here, and this will be an amazing game. Okay guys, it's time for us to go to our Indian women's team because we are taking on Germany today, and it's time for us to start from board number one. That is Dinara Wagner. Now I want to see here. A chess fan who can tell me who is the two questions here in one. Okay, tough one. Who is the grandmaster Dinara is married to? And what was her second name before getting married? Let's see who can answer this. बहुत tough है ये. पर पांच हजार लोग में कोई ना कोई तो ये ढूंढ ही लेगा. Dennis Wagner Badrinath and that is correct. That is correct. But what was her second name before marriage? Mr. Wagner बोल रहे हैं। Yes, Dennis Wagner is correct. But what was her second name? ये किसको भी नहीं पता है। Yes, Ayush Doshi is the guy. Ayush Doshi, hats off to you भाई। आपका knowledge check स्का बढ़िया दिनारा दोर्सदी एवा वाज़ हर सेकंड नेम एंड दैट इज़ अमेज्ड। भाई कभी विवेक देसा या प्रकर को बुलाओ कमेंट्री में। एडीएमयूएफसी शॉर्ट भाई वील ट्राई टू कॉल मोर पीपल एस वी कम टूवर्ड्स द एंड ऑफ़ द राउंड। टुडे वी आर गोइंग टू हैव गेस्ट ज्वाइनिंग इन 15 मिनट One more creator, Muf Muf Shah Afzal. They are going to come for like few minutes. It would be nice. Okay, Humpy is playing black here, and she goes for Queen's Gambit Declined. Takes takes Bishop g five, and we have Ragosin now with Bishop b four. Whenever the bishop comes to b four. And the pawns are like this. This is kind of the Ragozin e3, and Humpy goes Bishop f5. The problem is Humpy played this opening also against, uh, the Mongolian team. So that's the reason why Dinara Wagner comes well prepared. You can see she has 123, and she plays the move f3. Already a major imbalance on the board exists on this one. Can you tell me what is that major imbalance? क्या है? कोई बता सकता है? सागर भाई latent कब जा रहे हो? भाई जाएंगे latent. We will hope that firstly You know, some chess player can come on late, and that would be amazing. Yes, bishop pair. White has the bishop pair. Well done, guys. There is two bishops for white. Black के पास है दो knight. Black is slightly ahead in development. You can see here, and she castles. पर मैंने जैसी move किया हम पीने भी castling कर दिया and दो Dinara plays bishop d three. I think this is great news for Humpty because after Bishop d3, Queen d3, I don't think Black is worse. I want to test your understanding once again. Black to play. What is the move you will play in this position? Go, Black to play. Go for it, guys. Why would the coach allow Humpty to play the same opening again? So you know, there are always two ways to look at openings in chess. One is always try to play new things. The other is play the openings that work for you. And in this case, I think the opening that Humpty has chosen is working for her. She doesn't want to try new things, so she goes for it. I love how everyone went for C5. All those who played C5, I really want to tip my hat to you. My imaginary hat. Well done. Why? Because you are ready to take on an isolated pawn position in spite of understanding that there are other ways to play. It's good because white has played the pawn to f3, and pawn to f3 is actually not the best here. So that's why you strike in the center, and if white doesn't play. Anything, then you push C four as well. So that's the plan here. Yes, White's lack of development, Nitin Desai. That's a great point. Also, the king is in the center, so you want to open it up. That's brilliant. Okay, so this is Humpty's game. Let's see if she plays C five. My classical understanding of chess is taking me towards the fact that she might play C five here, but we will see. Let's go to Elizabeth. Pates versus Vaishali. And oh, we have Amruta here.

No, Harshit bhai is crazy story.

Harshit bhai has just gotten hit by a football.

Amruta, did you know that?

Yeah, I knew. I saw him yesterday. I didn't guess it, but he was. But Amruta, we will have two guests joining in shortly, so. But we will continue with this right now. It's so nice, so nice to see you guys. Amruta is here.

Hi, Sagar. You know, I went in the hall today.

कैसा था?

I wanted to go to the spectators and I realized from the hall once you enter the hall you cannot go to spectators.

Oh.

So for fifteen minutes I was trying to find things because in spectators mobile is allowed for some time. But it was very nice to see all our players very excited.

And guys, we have a very special guest joining us right now as we speak.

Hey! Hello! Where should I look at?

A bit of थोड़ा सा। We have New Nisha Nisha Afzal here. Yes, yes. Hello, hello.

Hi.

Hi.

Good to see you.

Good to see you too.

And can you tell a bit about yourself to our chat? I know that you are a content creator. You are also a strong chess player. Yes, if you can just introduce yourself.

Yes, hello everyone, I'm Nisha, uh, my social media name is Newchessa. I'm here for content for Take Take Take, and I just arrived like, uh, 2 days ago, and I'm trying to make more content here, and that's it. And I'm enjoying, of course.

And, and how strong are you as a player?

Um, my rating is like in FIDE 19 60, I guess.

Wow.

Yes, and I'm a woman candidate master.

Wow.

And I started playing chess when I was 6 years old, and that's it.

Amazing, amazing. And you are right now living in Belgium?

Yes.

And you are originally from Iran?

Yes, I'm originally from Iran. I was like, uh, immigrated like about 10 years ago to the Netherlands, and then I was for 2 years in Spain, and then And now I am living in Belgium.

Oh wow, amazing! It's great to, uh, know that you are like traveling all across the world and chess is something that is constant in your life.

Exactly, that's why I love chess and connecting with chess people and whoever loves chess. I, I really love it and I enjoy being with chess players and chess lovers. Very interesting. We had, uh, you know, we had gone to Dubai tournament In 2014 and 15, sir. She was playing over there, and that time I had taken her photo. She yeah. So I remember her, and then recently when I saw okay she's on Instagram and doing a lot of content.

So by the way, how many people are following news news new chess new chess new chess new chess on Instagram? How many of you? How many of you are following?

Do no me says me hi. Very cool. Oh, that's cool. I have lots of fans from India.

Yes, yes. Shrikant Panigrahi says me. Tarjani. Oh, there are a lot of people who know you and following you. So it means that you are very, very popular as a content creator. And if someone doesn't follow you and starts following you, what will they learn from or what will they get basically?

I'm just trying to make chess more fun and showing it other side of chess beside being like a game that you need to spend lots of time thinking, but also showing the fun parts of it and trying to play with other people who also maybe have no idea about chess, just learn to play chess. And I just try to make it fun for everyone.

Nice, that's amazing. That's great to know. And I think we need people to bring chess to more people, and you're doing that. So thank you.

Thank you so much.

And we were following the games of India versus Germany.

Okay.

So we were looking at the game of Women's World Championship challenger Vaishali taking on Elizabeth Bates, who is a grandmaster and a very strong player from Germany. And it was a Sicilian.

Oh, okay.

A Rosolimo kind of a Sicilian with knight on c3, and knight jumped in. Bishop c4 takes takes. Vaishali knew her opening. Knight e7, h4 trying to hit on the kingside.

Wow, I love the move h4. Oh wow, I mean h4 is very interesting here. And yeah, and then G5 square is hers forever.

And this is the live board.

Oh, okay. Do you want to exchange queens, Nisha? Um, yes, I prefer to exchange queens.

I mean, even if you're a player—

yeah, I mean, yeah, I like more endgames than like stocking in the middle game. Yes, yes, yes. I'm a Magnus Carlsen fan too, but I Just don't like that he exchanges queens.

He will he will do that.

Yeah, because he's very good in end games.

That's why.

I also don't think any other moves are the best here.

Like bishop d two could be possible.

Yeah, but then you go there and then come back again.

Like yeah, possible. So I think early days in the Vaishali game, we can say that still lot to develop here.

But initiative for white. Vaishali has got her type of position, and at one point she will try to create an attack with f4, f5, f7. Wow, yeah, absolutely. Very cool, actually. I love it. Awesome, awesome.

And let's go very quickly to Divya Deshmukh. Uh, do you have a favorite Indian women's player like Vaishali, Divya, Hampi?

Yes, I really like Divya. I haven't seen her in person. Today was the first time I was seeing her. But I really like her and I'm her fan.

Oh wow!

Are any of the Indian women like your friends? Like have you spoken with anyone anytime? No, not really. Not yet. Okay. Okay, French.

Amrita, it's advanced French. It's one of those openings that you like to play with white and immediately taken by black.

I would point out something that black did not go for the Standard Queen b6 over here. Black started with Knight g7.

Because Divya wanted to surprise her opponent.

And actually, did she manage to? No, because Kalekh is prepared. Bishop d3, takes, takes. And here the first question happens is, what if you play Knight b4 attacking the d3 bishop? Yeah, but what would happen after Queen a4 check? Maybe Queen a four check and then yeah jumps in there. So then the bishop has to go back three over here, which apparently it is okay because later you will move knight c three maybe a three and that should be okay. Yeah. So knight f five she takes e takes f five and Divya has doubled pawns king f one to play g three king g two I think.

And maybe she did h4 first.

h6, knight c3, bishop e6 played. Knight e2.

Oh wow, this is—

wow, sacrificing the pawn!

That is crazy. Divya is like, you know, she's like, if I castle here, I will be in a passive position forever as the knight sticks here.

Like impossible. Yeah, I mean, you played French, you know, you— what will you go for?

Just the concept that this bishop would be bad forever. So she says, "I will even give up a pawn to open up my bishop just because your king is a bit weak." Wow!

This is very cool actually. I have not seen something like this. Then what will happen next? I have no idea. Like, what will be their plan? Now this is hanging. This is under pressure. And the main problem in French is always the light square bishop. Yeah. You know, like the main problem in a marriage is. Actually, there's no main problem, right? There are many main problems.

I think there are many little problems.

We can't discuss it here now. So yeah, Bishop g4 over here. How do you assess this? Like, of course, engines say slightly better for white, but Neelsha, what do you think of the position? I mean, black has 2 bishops, uh, the position is really like about Not really close, but also not. I mean, it's very nice to have bishops in this position. I prefer to have two bishops rather than two knights.

But I all but extra pawn also.

Yeah, that's true. But also, as she mentioned, the knight is pinned and the pawn is on h four is hanging. So I think black has lots of opportunities here.

Yeah.

Also, I think, for example, I just go and defend the pawn eventually. Maybe long cut.

Queen d seven because h four pressure. Do I need? To maintain, do I need to g five ideas? I'm just trying to.

I'm also wondering, Amrita, if you want to short castle and push f six, bring the rook into the center, and really try to gang up on the.

This will be ridiculous. Wow! Then twenty seven doesn't make sense. No, you are saying short castle directly could be an option.

Could be.

I think overall Divya has taken a risk. And I think it will pay off because maybe she's not just played this based on the position, but also maybe she knows that her opponent doesn't enjoy aggressive positions. So could be a very psychological moment in the game. Meanwhile, I think we should check one final game in this match between India and Germany. न्यूज़ा सविता Who is playing on the last board is currently on five out of five.

Wow, that's really amazing.

She's playing amazing chess. She has been like this big anchor to Indian Indian team's chances.

She's also I am as I see, right? Okay. And this is all the opening over here.

So we have the main line in open Ruy Lopez, and somehow Lara Schulz is taking a lot of time. I'm a bit surprised, like, why is she thinking so much?

Maybe she doesn't know this, uh, like, line, or she's surprised. Do you know Lara? Um, yes, I, uh— Is she your friend or— No, no, just I know her.

Well, Lara Schulz, uh, I think I know her quite well because when she was young, she had come to India for, I think, World Youth Championship or something, and She's now become a strong player to be part of the German team. Again, a very interesting and early days. I want to shift our attention to the open section and look at the games there. But overall, look at this one. What do we have?

Like, look at this bishop. Sindharu Sangharu people are saying in the chat that it is a brilliance. Well, and look at Sindharu's time. Oh wow, 34 minutes. It's his preparation. This is crazy. He's just playing bullets. You know, normally he could keep everything for the world championship, but he's like, I don't really care.

Yeah, well, maybe he has more ideas in his, uh, bag, but we analyzed this position very deeply.

Got it. Can you give us a roundup of like for both of us and all the people who have just joined?

The thing is उस्बेकिस्तान आर द सोल लीडर्स इन द ओपन सेक्शन एंड दे आर वन पॉइंट अहेड ऑफ चाइना। ओके। सो इफ यू आर एन इंडियन चेस फैन, यू आर रूटिंग फॉर चाइना टुडे। बिकॉज़ इफ चाइना बीट्स उस्बेकिस्तान, इट विल बी लाइक वे दे ली ऑन 13, इंडिया विल मूव तू 12 इफ दे बीट इंग्लैंड And take the lead again.

This is really like so many things should happen. Like, do you want to root for India too? Yes, for you guys. She's like, okay, what else do you expect me to say? I cannot say anything else here. Like, yeah, let's go India!

But maybe India and Belgium both. Uh, yes, actually you can root for many countries. Yes, why not?

Also Iran.

Iran.

But do you come here without Bringing us Belgian chocolate. Oh, I'm so sorry, but I will invite you to Belgium for having chocolate there. Definitely.

We have this very interesting thing which has been given to us by someone. It's the Turkish baklava. Oh, that's true. By Kumares. Kumares has given us. Have you had?

No. I mean, like, I mean, baklava. Yes.

Yes.

Yes, I love it. It's sweet. It's very sweet. Yeah, it's nice. So Sindaro is yeah Sindaro is completely. Oh, thank you so much. Can I have it later? Like maybe with coffee or something?

Okay, you can you can take one from this.

Yes, of course. Thank you. Feel free anytime to come here.

Really cool. Okay, Amruta.

So where do you take a sagar?

Right now.

Olympia. टूर ओवर योर एंड वेरीवर यू टेक अस यू द टूर गाइड। I'm I'm actually taking you to Prague versus Nikita Vichugo.

India faces England in the open section and this is the live board position.

Oh, you know this came from Sicilian. Wait, not French. Am I right or am I wrong? French French but yeah it could be also Sicilian I guess.

Yeah but it was French and this is how we reached here Prague today once again. Again, going for the French Defense, an opening that is quite fighting in nature. And I think White has got a very small edge here in the position.

Uh, but it seems like it's all a part of preparation in some way. They both have the understanding about the position because it's a very standard kind of a setup, but they will have to think quite deeply because every move, like, it's going to be a race Yes, in terms of attack, white is gonna queenside attack, black is gonna queenside attack. So yeah, yeah.

Okay, I have a question for, uh, everyone here and also Nisha. What would be a very interesting pawn sacrifice that black can play here?

That's a very good, cool question. I think, uh, let me see, in the spirit of Divya, if I could just have one pawn out of the game, just give it Up a pawn like ah just like this just give it somehow somehow yes to open the a file because if you are talking about d four sagar it is very hard to play such a move because it feels like this is a central pawn yeah also yeah it's what Divya did right in her game to activate this bishop yeah you do this take take take and now the bishop drops in And gets huge diagonal here. Yeah, but then the king is that side. I prefer to have my bishop in the other diagonal. Like tough decision.

Like here maybe at some point, but yeah, you're right. Like maybe there is not enough compensation.

Can I ask you a question? My first consideration is this bishop over here looks beautiful. Oh, you're right. So if I let's say play a random just as an example, if I play a random move, is Greek give Working. Oh my God! First question, bishop sacrifice.

He's very aggressive as a player.

Oh, we need to play and check, and this would be a disaster. And that's why I feel like this cannot survive. I immediately feel like taking this. Yes, I agree with you. We need to take the bishop. Yeah. Looks so scary there.

Like oh, and it's a very good idea because after take. Takes, b4, Knight e2 because you want to get to this square, a5, Knight d4, takes, takes, and Bishop a6. I have this nice bishop, but this is a beautiful knight, and we could reach potentially such a position.

What would you prefer here, like with black or with white?

I like white, actually.

Um, yeah.

Because after this, you have like these possibilities to start pushing the pawn, whereas black maybe.

I'm liking black because if I'm I'm looking at this and this kind of a break over here and a fast attack somewhere. Yeah, I think white is much more like closer to the attack the kingside than black. Black needs more moves bringing the rook.

Okay, so let's get to the next game. Nisha, what's your favorite opening in chess?

I have no favorite openings. I just play by feeling.

Not like some people have London System.

Yes, I can say that, but I don't play London all the time. I also play e4 mostly, but sometimes when I feel like my opponent knows how should I play with white with e4, I Will just change it to London.

Okay, so because you love London or you like it, yeah, we go to a game of Arjun. Oh, and he has played the London System, Amruta, against Michael Adams.

That's really cool.

But the thing is, the game has now gotten into a territory which is very interesting. Yes, we have Nisha here and Harshit Pai can join in.

What happened to your nose?

What happened to you?

Somebody find some girl punched it. Oh really?

No, what do you mean?

I will really believe you.

Girl punched you.

What? Actually, for Harsh, Harsh, if I believed you, I believed you that it was football.

Just ask Pasha.

Pasha, where are you? We need proof. We need, we need Maybe you had nose surgery.

I have a good nose. I don't need.

Oh my God! What are you drinking? It seems like blood.

What is happening to you, Amrita, today?

Ma'am, I am Indian board because there is going to be blood over here.

It's raspberry tea.

Oh nice.

Maybe nice. Yeah.

No, Sagar is convincing him to say something else.

Sagar is into complete.

Why you are saying no?

Because Sagar is telling him that like to tell him that a girl hit me. Oh guys, no! Try an arm assault in the.

ये देखो guys, red है पूरा का पूरा। अरे please don't drop it. So this one he was showing us. Yeah.

We have. We have Pasha who will join us because he wants to share the real reason.

Yeah.

So maybe Harshit bhai, it will be in in Hindi we say दूध का दूध पानी का पानी which means milk का दूध पानी का पानी yes exactly which means That milk will be milk and water will be water. You can't mix the two. You will get clarity.

Yeah. Saying Amruta said what's on everyone's mind. Okay, Sagar, you were showing this game.

It's fading a lot.

No, bye.

It's fine. Which is by which prosperity?

No, no, no. It's fine, Amruta.

You should also teach me some Indian words later.

खतरनाक। so खतरनाक is an is a word which means dangerous। खतरनाक। exactly। and नाक means nose। नाक। somehow he got that। खतरनाक। खतरनाक। खतरनाक। खतरनाक। that's a good one। याई याई। okay I like Arjun's idea knight f three takes on d four। लंदन या न्यूशा यू लाइक प्लेइंग हैप्पी नो या शी लंदन लंदन या आई अलसो प्ले ऑन दैट शीट्स ओके वो व्हाट बाय अजूबा इज़ सो क्रेजी मैन ही प्लेस मूव्स दैट नो वन कुड इवन इमेजिन या दैट्स ट्रू या बिकॉज़ ही हस गोइंग सम Okay, this one I obviously love.

Yeah, yes, exactly.

But you know what, I love black. Why?

Because you're unique?

No, because black's plan is like, go here, the knight is well placed, I can come Queen b4, I have some tricks here. I mean, black's play is not so difficult, I think. No, what do you think?

I mean, just look at the clock as well. I think Michael is a bit uncomfortable. Because he's used more than thirty minutes, and I guess we can always capture on E four to just get rid of all the all the attacks that you have, right?

Um, so kind of.

But I mean, it's white to play now.

The king is still not safe. I don't feel safe with my king on B one.

Really?

Yeah.

I don't like it.

Like I I think it's just not comfortable. You know, I think you're me and Arshad share the opinion, and you and yeah. So so that's it. H four. Why you say H four?

Play, play, play, guys!

H4 runs into Knight g3.

Yeah, but imagine even if you could play h4, there is no way to open something here yet.

Like, yeah, nice, best move. By the way, a small update to Niusha, Harshit, and Amruta. You see, Amruta, on the bottom of our screen we now have standing Thanks to Rakshit on the bar screen, we also get standings now.

Wow!

So big shout out to Rakshit Singh, who has been helping us. You know, he's part of our community, and he's made this very nice innovation. Really nice.

Really cool. Like this.

Very nice.

Okay. So Rook C eight played immediately by my immediate.

People are saying Arjun took a risky decision. So how much of a risk is this actually?

It's not. I mean, because if you think about it, I can just trade and trade everything, and if I ever go in an endgame, your bishop is completely bricked looking at the pawn on d5, whereas I have a nice bishop.

Yeah, that's right, actually.

So I think that white, uh, white is not risking much.

Yeah, if you can just trade It's all the—

this was a mouse— this was a transmission error, guys. I think Rook takes c7 was played, and I think now Black is going to take Rook takes c1.

Okay, yeah, that's true.

So Arjun is looking. Did you see the other boards as well?

Yes, we saw some other boards.

Yeah, yeah, you want to check Nihal?

Let's let's check.

Oh wow!

Wow!

What happened here after Queen C four? Yeah, he played the move Bishop D eight. Oh, to protect the queen on C seven.

F four King H eight and after Bishop E three he goes F five.

Wow! I like this idea to kind of challenge white spawn and then be able to play D five.

Yeah.

That's true.

So would you say you would already— would you prefer white or—

uh, this is very difficult. I, I still prefer white.

White? Yeah, yeah. And, and the— and, and you— and that's because of the bishops or—

oh yeah, also the bishops, the queen, the pawns. The rook kind of fun, I think, is the like nice protecting this. Yeah, exactly.

Actually, for Nihal, this is a very important game, Niyusha, because day before yesterday against Uzbekistan, he had a heartbreak. Like, he had a very good position and, uh, he, he made a, he made a big blunder.

Oh my God.

Uh, so for now, we are all rooting for Nihal to make a comeback.

Yeah, hopefully. Okay, interesting.

And, uh, I, I think, I personally think that his position is going to improve because if you take Black is going to have already this majority of pawns. Yeah, the pawn on f4 is not really going anywhere. So I do think that his position is getting better. Also look at the clock. Black white had 93 minutes.

Oh yeah. Two moves.

Black has white has thought for 25 minutes.

That's true.

So I think Nihal is doing well.

Amazing. Well, Nihal is doing well, and you know Harshit Pai. I want to ask you a question that I started when Niyusha came here. Do you follow her on Instagram?

Yes, yes, of course I do.

I— and what about her content do you enjoy the most?

I think, uh, you know, in chess there are people who are making a lot of content towards improving chess, uh, but I think it's very important that there is content which is also entertaining, and I think Niyusha is making entertaining content.

Yes, I also said this. Thanks.

That means that Harshit is actually following all the content, and I think guys you should also follow it. So if one of our mods can put her link in the chat, that would be very cool.

Nisha, thank you so much for coming. I really enjoyed.

And yeah, are you here till the end of the event?

I will be here till Saturday, like 26th, uh, and I will leave. But hopefully I will see you guys one day in India.

Yeah, yes.

And also guys, do check out Take Take Take's new website. I think they've done a great job, uh, to make a platform where you just don't play, but you also can share your games, your achievements, your good moves, and all of it. Yes, I think it's a very classy platform.

Exactly, that's why I'm enjoying, because I can share whatever happens. Like I play a game, I can share the moments, uh, that I like to share With people, and I think it's one of the best apps now these days. I really enjoy playing.

It's the social media of chess.

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

You can share on Instagram like Harshit, for example. He had a great Bermuda party, so he could share a picture. But if Harshit played a beautiful move in a game, it's very difficult to share. But on TikTok, you can do that. So do check it out.

And also, yes, I have also my QR code, so you can just Just scan this and go through my link like that. You can join the Tech Take Take.

You can scan this and join there and play with Niyusha.

Yes, yes, exactly.

Brilliant.

Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

It was brilliant having you, and, uh, see you very soon.

Thank you so much. See you. Bye-bye.

Bye, guys. That was Niyusha. Joining us and had a great time, Harshit, by looking at games, also enjoying the commentary. India versus England is shaping up to be a very intense battle, bhai.

Yeah, I mean, as predicted, as predicted.

Uh, I was predicting something else, but sorry, maybe I was today too, uh, too optimistic, I must say. But Do you think that Mukesh? Till that time you can come. Do you think Mukesh has a nice position, man?

Yeah, I I think so because it I I I feel like it's an opening where at some point black would want to play the move pawn to e five and once we capture we'll have a nice positional edge and we have.

A very, very special guest joining us. We've had very enjoyable minutes with him whenever he has joined the live stream. Let's welcome the one and only CEO of PDA, Emil Sutowski. Hello, Emil.

Hello, Sagar. I'm glad to be again here. Again, it will be a short visit. I'm sorry, but I feel that anytime I'm here, we have such interesting conversations.

Yeah, and and you can actually take us through some you know objective viewpoints. Sometimes we are you know rooting like I I say like oh hope India today wins four nil against England and then you come and like you know you put things into perspective. So it's really nice. Maybe we can get your thoughts on the India versus England match first.

Yeah, just announce again one thing guys. Arjun is not winning. It's a transmission error.

Yeah yeah. So this Actually, what happened was white took rook takes c7, and black recaptured back with the rook. So this is the live position. So it's still around.

It's maybe slightly better.

Slightly better for white.

Can you get your thoughts on this? Like, is it easy to push here as white against a player like Adams?

Yes. White white is has not a very significant but very pleasant advantage because this knight on the e four is not. Gets getting supported. If I just play g5 and start rolling pawns, Black has no counterplay and it's very unpleasant. Probably he would need to commit and play maybe even f5 at some point to give away one knight. Will stand on d7 just to protect e5, and then f5 in order to prevent pawn breaks. Let's say you play g5. Let's let's play g5, and I play for example. I'm not sure in this particular, but I play f5. So now taking on f6 is nothing.

This is actually incredible that. This idea, this concept, because if gf6, you will take back with the knight. Very cool idea.

Uh, and, and that is basically that if my pawn stays on f7, then I can play h4, h5. Let's say, let's play some random move, a6. Yes, h4, b5, h5, and then I would go some on g6, and it would be very unpleasant.

Yeah, this could actually be the way for white to break open the position, and that's why.

And when f5 is locked, you, you never have the break because h6, g6, g6, h6. So, uh, it does weaken the e5 square, but I protect it and more or less manage to hold.

The dream for White would be to exchange the knight in the center, like knight on d2 and e4, and exchange this knight and have a very good knight versus bad bishop. Indeed, but very tough.

Bishop b5, bishop c6 always. So, but anyways, it is a very nice position for White, almost risk-free and with a, let's say, considerable chances.

And how would you describe Michael Adams as a player?

That's a great question.

Mickey is sort of enigmatic player, at least used to be. I mean, let's not forget he's now 55, and, and even last year he had some tremendous successes winning in London and so on, or it was 2 years already, but, uh, he's 55. At his best, he was number 3, number 4 in the world.

Yeah.

And he has this unique style. He was— it was never— I mean, I can't even compare it to any player of his generation. There was something from Karpov in his style, maybe something from Petrosian, something from— it's a positional style, but at the same time very active positional, maybe not very active, but very subtle positional. I would say, because sometimes positional, it doesn't mean that just to play on structures and to know how to undermine the opponent's structure. No, it is like, uh, identifying these minor differences in positions which one or another plan would work and for the opponent it would not work.

So there's no comparable player? Like, maybe Karpov would do it, right?

Yeah, Petrosian, Karpov, these are 2 very technical style, basically. Yes, very technical but also subtle technical, you know, not relying necessarily on endgames, but very subtle. I, I played several games with Miki.

It's like clash of styles when you would play.

Yes, yes.

And how did you do?

I think in classical I lost one and several draws, and in rapid I won one very important game. Yes, but, uh, I liked playing him because he was sort of a player which how to put it, he never worked very hard on openings, and I was. So I always got very good positions against Mickey. But then he was a better player as a player than myself. And then it was interesting, and you start somewhere from 0.5 or as equal with black, and I mean, you're sort of enjoying it, right? I mean, I knew that I'll start again and I'll have advantage against Mickey even if he was top 5 player and I was top 20. But but then he was starting to play. Yes yes. Only in classical only once I came close to beating him. It was in the French league and I had really huge advantage. It was I don't know one point five or something and I didn't manage and I lost one game. I remember in Tilburg also with white and with black. I made one draw in classical and one draw in rapid, and I won one game in rapid against him, yes. But anyways, Miki is really— I mean, uh, that's also his style allowed him to be still very strong at least at 43, 44. Recently he did drop around 50 points.

Yeah, he's now below 2600, but also it happens with age. It's, it's very difficult to maintain that level. Prag versus Nikita Vityubov. Today seems like a day of French defenses somehow, you know. Uh, here is French, also on Mukesh's board is French. Uh, this seems like a very pleasant position for white, would you agree? Or because one knight is coming here, you will trade it off, other knight will sit in the center.

No, it doesn't work like that. Yes, it is very dynamic position. If White's king was on short castle, then you would be right, probably. Here it's very concrete. I go a5, I start a lot of counterplays there. It's, it's very concrete. I just take on d4 and maybe Bishop a6, maybe, maybe e4, and it's very concrete. It's, it's, uh, on the verge of a tempo. You make play h3 now and I'll be much better now with, with Black, I guess. Yeah, okay, this computer doesn't agree with me, but But practically, yes, yeah, practically. So it is, it is not, it is not yet about the good knight versus bad bishop. These players, they know well and they feel very well the dynamics. They would never, almost never allow themselves to get into this passive position where they just try to hold. It will be always about counterplay, and Prag has one of the best feeling about this dynamism in the world. So I, uh, I think Black is doing fine. White is also doing fine. But it's time, actually.

Pragg has been taking a lot of time, uh, because of— already here you could see that after 15 moves he's down to 49 minutes. But I guess, uh, I guess it doesn't matter that much, right? Because he can always play fast if, if it needs—

if he needs.

Yeah, these top players are not afraid to get into time trouble because nowadays they play most of games in rapid Or sometimes blitz time control. So it's not a major worry for them.

So first board, would you say like it's dynamically balanced? Second board, Arjun slightly, slightly better. Guys, by the way, this is— I know I need to do it again, but I'll just make sure you guys know that this is the live position. And we, I think, agreed that white is teeny tiny bit better. Nihal's game actually is very dynamic.

Is it Philidor?

It was. It feels it was this trendy line, and then white got d4. I think this is pretty much known. And Luke was blitzing out the moves even though pieces are here. But Nihal found this very cool idea of going bishop d8 against knight d5. And after f4, king h8. And you know what I have noticed about Nihal is that in positions where it's like where the position is open, of course we can predict his moves. But when the position is closed, I feel like he's very good in closed positions to come up with these ideas to slightly improve his position.

Um, it's interesting observation. I don't— I didn't know. Um, I have to say that I I haven't seen many games of Nihal in classical chess because mostly when I see him, he's playing rapid or blitz.

Correct.

Like, like, totally. Uh, it's only last year he started to play really very good classical chess. I have to say, before that, like, well, he was well behind all the top Indian guys. Let's put it honestly. On the same level or sometimes better in fast time controls, and faster is better for him. But but but but now he started. I remember, I think he won in Uzbekistan very nice tournament or Kazakhstan as well last year, and then he he crossed 2700. And yes, he's he's of course very strong player, but I unfortunately I have to say that because he didn't play yet top top top events like Wijk or of course not candidates, I haven't seen many of his games and. I don't think his style in rapid or blitz is necessarily the same like, like in classical.

So I mean, I have a question actually. Like, there are many people who are also playing a lot of blitz online and they love playing blitz and rapid, but that very often doesn't translate or convert into them getting better in classical. So if someone loves to play blitz and rapid, how do they make sure that they can also improve their general understanding of Yes.

I think when you play a lot of faster time controls, you get a lot of patterns like imprinted already in you. So you have like moves, Bishop e7, d8. It's, it's something that you, you develop, or, or, uh, endgame skills. You remember another day we were discussing about Alice Lee, and so on. It is helpful. What actually makes me feel that it's not necessarily only From that is that all these players who play thousands, literally thousands of blitz games, they sort of undermine their nervous system because they're in constant tonus. You know, you always have to be like that. And I believe that nobody of these players, no, not Nihal, would, would continue playing after 40 or something because they like, they burn themselves by By being all the time, it's made like your muscle which doesn't work in the— doesn't walk, but all the time you need it to run, to run, to run, or to be any second ready to start running. And look at the younger players, Dogmus for example, Oro, they are much more, let's say, even they're shaking the boards, it's all bad influence which they get from blitz. Not necessarily all the influence is bad. They get a lot of patterns, they have excellent calculations, they have an ability to play many games, so, so to keep up with the tension. But at the same time, they burn their nervous system. So I think that, let's say, if you, if you aim to, to peak as early as possible, it's very good way. If you want a professional-like career in chess, uh, you're already late. Because I think all of all of the top players today who play a lot of online, by the way, not all of them. Prague doesn't play a lot of online. Gary Gaisi, Sindarov. I mean, you can play occasionally Title Tuesday and so on, but not just thousands and thousands of games.

Forchme was totally into chess only, right? Right. How then he did not burn out in a way?

Because he one thing is to analyze a game, to deeply understand ideas of a certain position. The opening, your own style. Because what was fortunately special about he kept mastering his own playing style till the very, very advanced age. He wrote in his book that everybody thought that I am a good player, and in 1952 or 1954, he was a silver medalist of the Soviet Championship, which is already very considerable. But only I knew that I'm a very weak player inside, and I knew my weakness. And it took me several years to work on them, and and already at the beginning of sixties to become one of the world's top players. The younger players of today have a very different approach because they can master it through thousands and thousands of blitz games. That's true, but there is also a negative effect to that. And have my forecast. I mean, let us meet in two thousand thirty-six and not see most of these stars play.

Let's see, I'm not 100% sure for everybody, but it's very interesting perspective over there. Because they've just stopped loving chess. Like, like we're saying that, but maybe they would have burnt out of it. Then you take a break and you come back.

Yeah, not necessarily. Look at the players of ICC generation. Even look at Nakamura, who stopped playing classical chess at 35 or something. जामू। क्या प्रॉपर्टी है? जाबो। बिट मोर करियर्स ओपन्ड अप राइट नाउ, पिचर लियर वर्ल्ड में स्पेस करियर। चेस करियर्स, चेस रिलेटेड करियर्स। या लाइक स्ट्रीमिंग। एंड दैट्स एक्जेक्टली क्वेश्चन। व्हाट इस व्हाट इस चेस एक्जेक्टली फॉर यू? इज़ इट अ वे टू अर्न मनी? ऑफ़ कोर्स about yourself first of all, and then it's something that modern players would find it difficult specifically because they're learning by playing instead of learning by studying and learning by thinking and so on. So that's a different approach, and that's, I have to say, not necessarily bad, it's just a reality. So it's a trade-off. They get a lot of patterns, They get a lot of practice, they get much better technique due to that, because all it comes with playing, but they lose something. And, and, and this trade-off— that's why the generation of Magnus is so strong, because they, they got the best of two, you know, best of both.

Very interesting insights here. And Emil, we want to get your thoughts on this Uzbek versus China match and this position. Where Javokir, Sindarov, and Wei, uh, what a crazy position this is. But Javokir's time, he's kind of well prepared.

Yes, probably he had it all, or till the last couple of moves at least, in his preparation. It looks good for Black because if Black is in time to play something like g6, Bishop g7, Bishop f8, and take away, as I said, Or at least to to make white's rook to put on d-file and only to protect, then it would be at least a draw for black.

So g four just played by way. He took roughly twenty minutes for this.

I think black could play g six, although I see a computer suggesting rook f eight. What's wrong with g six? H five, yeah? No.

Yeah, h five.

No, the queen is on c5.

Ah, okay. So it's concrete. Bishop g7, I take and and go rook h7. That's right.

Bishop b2 then. Maybe b1 and rook h8.

Yes, yes.

You can't take because check and then picking this up.

Correct.

g6. He wants to play but he can't.

Yeah. So it's very interesting what's going on here. So g4, he thinks that he just Can improve, but Campito says Rook f8 and then Bishop d8.

So actually Black still needs to make some accurate moves.

Yeah, yeah.

Maybe I underestimated that this bishop on b7 is is way too passive because imagine this position bishop on d5 Black is winning is winning yeah not better just winning winning yeah and not because it can take on h1 just just very active yeah can we ask a question to the chat?

Over here, rook e six was played, and this move the position was completely different. But it's a very famous move. You know, which classical player? Classic game. Which classic game? This position is in all.

This word.

Harshit by Harshit by Esquadra.

Rook e six. I mean, the position is very different over here, but a very famous.

I mean, I know it from white where we take rook takes e six. No, no, no.

It's like rook e six was placed to be taken by a bishop. How did you remember? But I'll give you—

and then I'll give a bonus question, a $1,000 question. What was, what was the next move of white in this game? Oh my God, even, even Sagar wouldn't know. I know because he didn't take it. Yeah, but what did he play instead?

He moved the knight, I think.

No, he moved the pawn, played a4.

एपोर्ट या वाओ रक्षित एक्चुअली आंसर पेट्रोशियन वी हैव फ्यू मोर पीपल हु फाउंड आउट यस बट अगेंस्ट कौन एंड दिस विच ईयर ओह मैन आह इस इस ओके हाउ डू यू गाइस रिमेम्बर द ईयर लाइक आई रिमेम्बर द ईयर ईयर इज़ एमिल स्पेशल एमिल इज़ क्रेजी आई थिंक ओनली टू पीपल रिमेम्बरिंग ईयर Quite well.

So it's it's Rzeszewski Petrosian in 1953, the famous Candidates Tournament 1953.

Zurich.

Zurich, yeah. So so yeah, that that was a.

By the way, look at Jao Kier. He has played Rook F8 in two minutes. It is maybe his preparation. Still, he knows that bishop goes to D.

I don't think you can play Rook F8 in two minutes if you had if you had never seen this before.

Yeah, but I agree.

Great style, Zindaro is doing well prepared, putting your opponent in time pressure, and then they make a mistake.

But Emil, how is Chaukid playing so quickly and showing so many ideas when the World Championship is coming up? He should be preserving these ideas, no?

There are 2 ways to approach it. One is to preserve, to conserve everything, but then there is a risk that you have been in hiding for too long, and when the time came, you already forgot how to actually exhibit. So probably he claims that, okay, I've made such a work that I can have not for 14 games but 14 plus 10 here, 24. So, so, so to— and also one needs a lot of self-confidence during the World Championship match because it's, it's one against one, you know, who's, who's, let's say, stronger, more capable, more self-assured, and so on. So he needs to build this confidence, and this you can do only by playing. Well, if he would score only, I don't know, 6 out of 10, then he would feel different than scoring 7.5.

And also these days, you know, uh, the opening is like, it's so dynamic that if you don't make your opening idea, someone else can play it the next day. So might as well play whatever you know.

So nowadays, because there was a tendency in previous years to keep an important novelty and then to play it only in the very important games, And there were stories like, like for example, the novelty which waited for the longest was like, I don't know, 15 years or something. The famous game Polugaevsky versus Torre. Maybe you remember this game. You don't? It's one of the most exciting games you must show to your spectators. Polugaevsky-Torre played in Moscow 1981. Uh, absolutely exciting. Uh, maybe we can see it. And I, I would love— I saw it like 10 times, but I would Love to see it again. Slav, but unique variation. But unique variation already promises you something very exciting. So if we can go try to find it.

But meanwhile, just while we are finding, I want to just tell the idea of black here is insane. You go bishop d8, king b8, bishop c8, king b7, and bishop b6.

How did you find it?

I was just thinking like why bishop d8? What will we do? And then this entire, what is the point, right?

Otherwise, he can't find it on the board. I mean, nobody can, right?

Yes, Sagar just found.

Sagar is right.

But engine is the bishop.

No, no, I know bishop d8 is a move.

But what next?

Yeah. And Javokir may know it already. Makes sense.

And now the more funny way actually that he can spare one tempo maybe by playing bishop a8 and king b7. And then bishop b six and king a seven.

Maybe that's a no, he didn't play.

It's no.

I mean, if you if you do it this way, let's play bishop a.

Okay, here rook f five is very strong.

And then you get c five. Basically, you can't allow the queen to be moved. Yeah. Okay. So by the way, while I'm searching the game of Polugavsky, do you think Uzbekistan are like? Heavy favorites to win this Olympiad, or do you think it's still open?

I didn't see two other games. If they win today, it's over.

So day is very important.

Very nice position for white. Very comfortable advantage. Maybe not very big, but very comfortable.

Why do you say it's a comfortable edge for white?

Because d four pawn versus c four pawn is if you don't have a knight on c five. It's always, uh, or, or on e5 in this matter, it's always, uh, let's say allowing white to build behind this pawn. Queen c2, rook d1, and so on. Bishop plays on d3, and eventually it will be a weakness. Or queen d2 and b4 at some moment. So it's, it's very— I would say queen c2 because it gains a tempo also. What's, what's computer says? It goes queen h5. And what about queen c2? Ask him.

It's also a good move.

Yeah, it's in Rook d1, then Bishop e4. Very comfortable.

Maybe not easy to win, but, uh, and then we have, uh, Yu Yangyi versus Nodirbek Yakubov.

That's very concrete position, very concrete. If White doesn't get anything within the next 2 or 3 moves, it's just a draw. But, uh, it doesn't look— seem to me that 0.1 is exactly 0.1. I feel that might be challenging in the next few moves for Black. I don't know, like Bishop e3, Knight d7, f4 maybe.

Yeah, some work actually for—

some work for Black to hold it. It's not easy draw. But after Knight b6, I can take, take, and Rook a7.

Yeah, nice.

And maybe computer still holds it, but yeah, yeah, it's very tight. But it's still not very pleasant. Take, take, rook c1. Yeah, I mean, you see, computer gives zero zero, of course. But if we were to play, of course, we would prefer white.

Oh wow! Wow! What is this?

What is this?

But Mandaminov again plans opening. He's prepared. Look at the time he spent. It's it's actually the line very exciting. F3, one of the most ambitious lines versus Nilsen.

Wow! B6. Yeah, Madaminov is just showing some excellent ideas here. H3 by white.

But why white has prepared?

Oh my god!

Yeah.

Bishop a6, knight e4 check, knight c6.

Yes.

How is Matamino playing first line?

He plays all first line, but just by the ear because yeah, he he he didn't know this line. But yeah, rook rook e8, then bishop g2, and it will fizzle out into some endgame with perpetual check. I think it's just forced draw. Bishop g2 takes takes takes bishop d5, then bishop c6 rook e1 king h2, and we have nothing better than the perpetual. Wow, Capito thinks that you have— oh, Bishop f1. Okay, that's a difficult— still almost a draw. No, okay, it's black is doing fine here.

Wow, this would be insane if this happens.

Yeah, yeah, exciting game.

This is why Uzbekistan team is not worse on a single board.

Yes, yes, they're better on 2 boards. Yeah, I think they they might be winning it or surely not not losing. Yeah, even if they win, it's pretty much there still four rounds still got to play with America, but would be very difficult to catch up with them. Yeah.

How many Olympiads you have been until now? Like in whichever capacity? Oh yeah.

I think we discussed or we discussed. Yeah, we discussed it last time. I think you had mentioned ten or eleven, right?

Yeah, eleven, I think.

Yeah. So my first one was in 1996. So exactly thirty years ago.

Did they also have ninety-six? Bermuda Party was not there, right?

I'm not the party guy, so maybe if they had, but I didn't go.

You have no history.

Me and Emil have that in common.

No, for all these years I haven't been. I mean. I mean, a couple of times I was passing by.

Just which year?

'81.

Please, you can continue.

Sorry. So I, I don't like loud music. I don't like clubs. So, so I—

you—

I'm wrong person to ask about this nice story.

But actually, it's a place where so many people get to meet each other.

No, I, I like the concept. I have nothing against it. It's just not my cup of tea.

I don't know. Most amazing thing I saw in the Parmuda party was Bodna playing blitz until 2 a.m. with everyone.

She's minor. She's not supposed to know.

She was.

She did not enter the club.

No, she was playing outside. Okay. By the way, we have a game Polugavsky versus Torre that is a very famous one.

Yeah, and and I remember Polugavsky writings that he waited like I don't know. I can't say. 12 years or 15, what, many years to play this novelty. So it's, it's Botvinnik lines of Slavs, the famous one. So this is known, this is all known. Yes, this is all theory. Yes, this is all theory, of course. Yeah, Knight b6, not played any— no, it's known, it's not played anymore, only specifically due to this line.

Was it dxe6 or Yes, giving up the rook.

Yes, yes. Have a look, man.

Even the latest Stockfish engine, like, on the lower depth doesn't find it.

Yeah, have a look what's happening here. Take on d1, take, Bishop h1, e7, Bishop h6. Oh, sorry. Yeah, you are not in time to— that's the point. That's crazy because it would be Bishop h6, but you are just getting mated. Knight b5. So you have to waste a tempo That's fantastic idea. You have to waste the tempo protecting a six, and then I lock your rook h four, bishop h six, f four.

Oh, beautiful!

And you are playing with an extra rook, just an extra rook.

Crazy!

I don't know.

This is actually incredible. And if you take, you take with the f four.

Yes, yes.

Oh my God! And you have these pawns.

Yeah, it's absolutely— it's, it's, it's fascinated me so, so much when I, when I saw it. Oh, I'm happy you didn't know the game because now you learned it. Wow. Yeah, and before— and this was all analyzed by, by Polugaevsky. He writes that the whole concept held because after b4 I have this rook.

Only move again.

Yes, yes.

Wow.

And he did all of this without Stockfish. Yeah, it must have taken him months.

To analyze this, and this is such a cool position. Yeah, like black has a complete extra rook here, but the pawns just make sure that the rook cannot go anywhere. It's permanently imprisoned.

It's actually equal material because this rook is not there.

So one pawn, one pawn.

Yeah, one.

The joy of finding the moves yourself with your mind and with the engine is very different.

Now the funny thing is that that. Up till now it was analysis, and then Polugaevsky missed the win, but he won actually at the end. He played the wrong move, and now you will see Knight e3. At one point he writes that he played the not the most accurate move, and and he sort of missed an advantage. Yeah, here, yeah. Somewhere, yeah, just to exchange and and and it would be winning. But but okay, this is still was you know borderline between winning and draw. But okay, yeah, here he missed something, uh, and then, uh, imagine if he would not have won, he would have been very unhappy. It is— it was also very strong tournament, was important for Polgajewski because it was— yeah, but Tore wasn't in huge time trouble and Polgajewski had a lot of time because—

because he played—

yes, yes, yes.

Uh, by the way, Tore is here.

He's here? I haven't seen him yet.

Yes, he's here for the team of Philippines. Yeah, maybe that he's the captain of the team, but he's not playing.

Yes, that's why.

Actually, we can ask him about this game. He might remember.

Of course he will. This was a special tournament in '81, one of the probably the strongest tournament of the year. Karpov, who was a champion, won it, and the second place was shared. It's very interesting company: Polugaevsky, Smyslov, who was 60 years old but was very— and Kasparov.

Oh wow!

Yes, it was the first event of such a caliber where Casper was already proving himself. But let's get back to the if we can get back to the position after H4 and ask I mean spectators friends I mean have you seen anything?

Oh you mean here?

Yeah. That's such a fascinating position. That's I mean yeah this is insane.

Let's ask our viewers guys did you like this game?

Amazing. Such ideas are very difficult now to happen.

Yeah.

We have a question. When is the next episode of History of Chess with Emil?

Yeah, probably we are both here very busy.

Time is over now.

Yeah. Yes. Yes. I think it would be in Geneva during the World Championship match. I think there I will have a bit more time than here. Here everything is very packed and stressful. In Geneva, I hope to have a bit more time, maybe, maybe also for Botvinnik, both for events and Botvinnik.

By the way, people are saying incredible.

So just striking and unique game. Yes, yes, yes, yes, they loved it. Thank you for sharing this, uh, you know, Emil, uh, It's very fresh to to get these ideas. By the way, rook was sacrificed.

No, it's exchange because he takes only.

Yeah, exchange.

Oh, it's just he just won.

But I do get this feeling that maybe Madamino might be running out of ideas because bishop f four, rook e one. It might be that white is coming back.

I'm not sure if taking was the, the strongest move. What was it? It's just Rook e8. Yeah.

But there's still a lot of fight left because, uh, even though White is up an exchange, Black has clear compensation against the White king. Light squares are weak. So to be honest, I would choose Black because of how easy it is to play with Black.

But, but, but it's easy for a couple of moves, but then I play Queen f2, Bishop f4, Rook e1.

Yeah, but how do you bring the rook from h? You have to go king h two.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Knight on c six is bad. If it would be on g six, black would be winning.

Correct.

Or nearly winning.

Correct. Yeah.

Okay.

So this is about the Uzbek versus China China encounter. The USA versus Armenia. It's amazing that Armenia without any stars is right up there at the top.

Armenia is. Unbelievable story of overperformance in every single Olympiad. Yeah, I remember as well in Chennai and so on. Kudos to to the to their players, to their fighting spirit, to their camaraderie and so on. I mean, every time Aronian has left, Sarkisyan became he's okay forty-five now, not so young. He's on board forty-four maybe. Yes, and still and still and still kudos kudos to Armenia.

So this is around equal. Yeah, board 1, Bohanisian-Wesley also roundabout even. Niemann versus Shant Sargissian also quite equal. And Sargissian is playing black here, he is also equal against Lavonderlian. So a big fight.

Yeah, yeah, actually very possible that it will be 4 draws. Very possible.

Yeah, this Olympiad is becoming so interesting actually.

Oh wow, now you see he played Knight a5.

Prag is getting better.

Wow, but Knight a5 was such a cool move because we were looking at a5 only.

Yeah, we were not trying to get that.

I wouldn't be surprised after b3 if you would just come back with this knight, let's say c6, b7, and then just use the pawn on b3. As a way to attack it. So black, white decided to go knight d4, and now after knight c4 and a5, Emil, you said it's a race, and I guess black is a step ahead.

Yeah, it's very interesting because after b3, what does keep? Maybe play c4.

Yeah, okay, maybe we are getting too ambitious, but yeah, too ambitious.

But it's it's an interesting one only because ah knight c4.

Yeah, no, so he just goes back with the knight and then plays a4.

By the way, guys, Nikita Vitiugov is writing this book, Chess Meta Courses, and he's written about a journey with Nepo when he worked with candidates.

Have you seen that book?

No, it just was released very recently. Yeah, but I know Nikita well, so I, I, I would think that it is an unusual book. He has a very, how would I say, non-Orthodox view on everything.

Really?

Yes, yes. So you can, you, I would suggest that it, I didn't see it, but it must be.

So he thinks deeply.

He thinks originally, I would say. Yeah. So guys, I must go soon. So if you have anything to—

Maybe in the women's section, a few thoughts, you know, we could look at the India game, but we can also look at the two leaders first. It's two teams on full points: Kazakhstan versus China. On top board, we have Bibisara versus Zhu Jin'er.

Yeah, and you know what's special about this matchup? Let me see how you how full how closely you know the women's chess. Okay. Ah, you see something. अमरोता ही डज़न फॉलो इन इस चेस। नो नो नो यू हैव टू टीच हिम। नॉट अबाउट द पोजीशन, अबाउट द मैचअप। ओ बीबी सारा इज़ द गर्लफ्रेंड ऑफ़ सिंह। दैट वे? ये। कमांड आई वुड बी व्हाट हैज़ दैट हैव टू डू विथ? सो इट इज़ अ क्लश बिटवीन वर्ल्ड नंबर फाइव एंड फोर। इट डज Guys, who is commenting here?

Give a hint, give a hint.

Uh, I give you a hint. Um, um, something like that happened between Tal and Portman.

Oh, oh, which means that Zuzina has a very high score against— no, other way. Bibisara has a very high score with Zuzina.

What's huge? Something like 5 or 6 without draw, with some draws.

Because you would imagine that Zuzina might be having good scores with just about anyone.

And I think if not the games with Bibi Sara, she would be already 2600.

But Zuzina played this tournament so beautifully when she was almost beating Magnus Carlsen.

Yes, yes, yes. But no, Zuzina is fantastic player, but somehow she finds it completely unbearable to play against Bibi Sara. Checks the score. I cannot vouch for seven, seven or six, but I mean, in last two years it has been a massacre almost.

And she also has a position where she can play for a win there. Yeah. This is more stable.

Actually, Aluwan Murman is turning into a very big asset for Kazakhstan.

Yes, he's a very strong. She's a very strong second board, and she's also progressing. She's still very, very young. And she also played Magnus in Freestyle Open. Yeah, yeah, but not only— she's not just a selfie girl, she's a selfie girl who knows how to play.

She's becoming stronger and stronger by the day.

Yeah, yeah, I'm not sure she, she's a top 10 player in future, but top 20 for sure, and, and maybe bordering top 10.

But look at this, China is making already inroads on board number 3. Wow, Miaoui is beating Kamala Dinova.

Too early, too early, Sagar. No, remember Jekserio?

Which one?

The Jekserio Farounian.

You think here as well?

Yeah, I mean, you see the evaluation of +4, but to a human eye, it's, it's, it's very, very complex, and it is, uh, it can go either way.

Yeah, and then Here, here, here I would agree.

This one is a proper plus five.

Oh my God!

Elmas Kalyakmet. Actually, this girl I haven't heard also much.

She's the youngest girl from the team. She's sixteen, I believe. She became national champion last year, and she played for for the national team already once, I think in world teams.

She's crushing it.

Yeah, yeah. She's very she's doing very well, and she's. She's winning. I believe she will win.

Yeah. Okay, so China versus Kazakhstan evenly poised right now. Then we go to the match between India Germany. Very quick thoughts because as you want to, you know, you have some things to do. Even here?

No. White is better. Yes, of course. I mean, black has to play very energetically to to actually compensate for the isolated pawn and white's control over c-file and so on.

Somehow don't you think like knight would come and attack here? It's lot of activity.

No, rook e one. You have to fight for the c-file. Otherwise you'll be in trouble.

Ah, because if I go knight c four already, rook c one. Yes, queen is in trouble.

Yeah, queen b two rook c four.

So it's, uh, it's not very good actually. Dinara Wagner, okay, we all know other players, but Dinara Wagner is probably the strongest player in the world below 2400.

Ah.

She is absolutely— I saw many games of her. She played, she won one of the stages of Women's Grand Prix. She's a very strong player. I, uh, she had her ups and downs taking her below 2400. She has a very interesting, uh, Life and career. She was a very prominent, strong Russian junior player. She grew up. She's coming from. I think she's coming from one of the regions of Russia, not not from Moscow. And then at some point, her name was Diana Gorgieva. Yeah.

I had asked this question in the chat.

Yeah. So she she won some world world girls, maybe under fourteen or something like that.

Mumbai she had come for.

And and then she decided that she stops playing chess, and she graduated and went to study to the one of the most prestigious Russian economic schools, and stopped playing. I think by 2018 or 2019 she stopped playing, and then I don't know at which stage they decided to marry with Denis. She married the top German grandmaster Dennis Wagner, who in his third also stopped playing chess. He started doing a career in, in, in, in something else, and she moved to Germany, and then he quit chess, but she started to playing chess professionally, uh, and she made something like 150 points within a year.

Wow.

Yeah, she, she played brilliantly, and she Maybe from 2250 to 2430 or something like that.

Yeah, maybe it's what you helped me do after marriage. I gained 150 Elo points, and here Dennis maybe helped Dinara.

Yeah, so yeah, so she's a very good player. And second board, you have Elisabeth Petz. Okay, the player who was a top German player for many years. You know, now she got a baby, so she yes. But it's her her return to top chess here in this event, and and she's come under this chess moms program. Yes, yes, as well, as well. Yes, we had this program. I don't know if you told already.

Yes, I spoke about it that women who have had kids recently can actually get support to bring one more person or maybe two.

Yeah.

Yeah, sometimes so that they can be here and the kid can be taken care of.

Yeah, this is a very nice project. We are proud to actually implement it.

So this is roundabout, very complex position, and the last move was to take on d4.

Yeah, dc4, probably she will take.

Yeah, this looks, uh, like Black is doing very, very fine.

No, this you cannot. Yeah, you have to go with the knight somewhere.

And this definitely is not better for white.

Can be because of the weak dark squares, but I guess black will be in time for rook d8.

Yeah, rook d8, bishop d7. Around they go.

Divya versus Klek.

Oh, did you see Divya's f4 move?

Yeah, this— I don't know if this was very typical idea, but she just sacked the pawn. Wow, interesting. She didn't choose to take this.

That's a bit strange to me. I mean, Knight d4 looks so natural, and then just, yeah, Rook d8, liquidate to an ending, and then grab e5 pawn and remain with 2 bishops. I think it's yeah. This black is better, and maybe white will fold.

But she decided absolutely risk-free for black complex. But I still think that black's position has potential, like g five, g four, and yes.

But also white can play g four.

Oh yeah.

It's complex.

Very complex. But Divya is much stronger player. So we can in a complex equal position we would take. Oh, that's a theoretical position. That's from the match Karpov-Korschnoi.

This one?

The very exact position, yes.

Let's see. We can check here.

I think I myself played it with Korschnoi even.

It is a theoretical position. Matamino has played this.

No, no, no, no, no. It's a much stronger player has played it. Korschnoi played it for sure. Maybe another rook to d8. Maybe he played rook ad8. I know for sure this position. Karpov, Koshnev from Mirana.

Shiro Ivanchuk is there.

Yeah, it's strange. I mean, maybe he played before castling. Maybe he played d four. Not d four, rookie one. So the the rook was on f one and king on e eight.

But this one, if it is well known, the the girls don't know it. So they are taking their time.

Yes, but it's very safe position for black.

Black is fine.

Yeah, it's absolutely fine.

So actually Divya's board is then quite important.

Yes, yes, yes.

Because Hampi is maybe under some pressure. Vaishali unclear. Divya also unclear. This is also equal. So very close match.

Close match. But, but I think Divya, I have a feeling that's a very complex position and she's not worse. And she's 200 rating points or something above. She should be, she should be the, I would say, the joker.

Well, Emil, thank you so much for joining us, for being here. Do you enjoy Turkish sweets?

Yes, in general, yes.

Here brought by our very good friend here.

Fantastic. Maybe maybe later, maybe later. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Emil, for joining us.

Thank you, guys.

And for showing us a poor idea. Yes, that was very.

Polugavsky Torre game is going to remain with us. 1981 amazing one.

Thank you. Thank you, guys. Yes, I'm around.

Yes, and that was Emil, uh, Sutowski joining us and telling us some of the insights, uh, from, from the chess history. Always nice to have him. Let's go back To our open section because Prague is getting advantage on his board against Nikita Vitugov, and with black this is going to be huge for Team India. Guys, I'm going to bring out the board in a few seconds, but Prague is getting better. Arjun's game is complicated. But Gukesh is doing well. So actually today it might be again Prag and Gukesh on board 1 and 4 which are going to do well for Team India. I'm not sure, uh, about the board, but I think Sagar will come and will help set up the board. But guys, This is India taking on the English team. We lost one match so far, and that was against Uzbekistan. So now for us, it's very important to keep winning all of our matches. All four players on the board. What is your prediction, guys, about the result?

The Indian team—

my feeling is that it's going to be something Like two and half, one and half, or three one. That's my prediction.

Ashish, are you talking chess moves?

No, I was just. I knew that the board was not good.

Bye, Pragna Datta.

Bye, he's getting much better.

Let's go. Right. I want to take one bite of baklava. And also this looks like chocolate.

3-1, people are saying. Yeah, 3-1 is also in my— what I am feeling is gonna happen.

Too sweet, really. Like, it's the sweetest of sweets I've had, guys. Has anyone had baklava? Bye.

Just 2 minutes, guys.

You know, this Olympiad is so intense. That everyone has fallen a bit sick, from Harshit Bai to to me to Amruta. And you know, whoever we meet, some of them are like, "Yeah, yeah." There's so many people here that it's insane. And so guys, I'll be also back in a second. Just follow this amazing. Encounter, and I will be here in a minute or so.

And guys, while Sagar is slightly away, he will be back very, very soon. Here we have Frog's board, which is going incredible. He's having an advantage over here already. So good to see that. Let's just look at the last two moves. I don't know where he left, but a five as we were discussing on to h four because white also wants to jump to knight g five, g four, h five and so on. Prag goes on with a four, king b one. Now over here, let me just show you on the big board. King b one is one of the most common moves after white has long castled. It's a move which we call. There's a one word to it. We call it something. The word starts with P. I believe many of you know that. What's the word, guys? The theme. What is it called? Jao Kheri's game is crazy. Absolutely. It's all preparation. The screen. Yeah, everything looks. Prophylaxis. I think we have got Som and Appia spelling थोड़ा गलत है मुश्किल भी है it's fine Shrija of course knows that Shriram Amit Rao Shauna well done guys Anu Dravid prophylaxis but the very interesting thing is nobody not everybody is getting the spelling right so guys next time also get it right for all those who are Writing a wrong spelling. इतना फर्क नहीं पड़ता है, वैसे theme समझ गया तो fine है. King b1. The idea is many times you know you just want to take it out of these file and diagonal so that there is you are avoiding the tactical checks and so on. So King b1 played which is a natural move, but you needed to assess that it is not needed at this point. It is more important for white to continue with his attack. One slow move and the race, as you know, he is going to fall short of. Prag finds the best move over here, guys. Best move. Black to play. Where did Sagar and Harshit go exactly? I think Sagar is right in front of me talking. प्रियांशु श्रीराम गीता हरीब क्या बात है bishop a six that was the plan over here you are already looking at disco बर्मुडा पार्टी खत्म हो गई है but यहाँ पे disco is still on guys and the whole idea is let's say if now white says I don't care what you're doing I am going to continue with my plan Rook, uh, with h5. Black firstly has completed his development, his rooks are connected, and, uh, I'll first try to see if any disco is happening, but not really, because if I take here, I don't want to give 2 pieces for the rook. This is a check which I will consider, but I believe it's not working at all. b takes a3, bishop takes d3. And yeah, it's pretty decent actually. I did not think of it. The two knights versus rook. What black is saying that the files are open. I'm gonna be entering over here, and this is very playable. So Prag might get lost in this calculation. But if H five, what Prag needs to do, Sagar, is what I do many times.

Ignore.

Exactly, ignore and just continue with rooks.

The last move was bishop a six.

Very important, as अगर if he doesn't find, then खेला उसने bishop a six. खेला खेला. But अगर नहीं ढूंढता था, तो it was equal.

Guys, Pragnananda today might help Team India win. Look at this, he's better with the black pieces in nine. 19 moves. It's a huge thing.

Ah, okay. Bishop a6. No, I love the position. And you already see that in the race, Black is so ahead, he's so attacking, he's starting to put pressure. And the thing is, whenever White even will reach here, at that point of time, Black is creating threats where White will need to start making moves on the kingside. Defense mechanism he will need to use. So Prag OP, I love Amit Rao has already sent Prag OP in the chat.

Guys, it's a border. Let's wait, but he's doing well.

Let's no, we just want to appreciate the effort until here. Everything is not going to be about result.

Amruta, you know what Harshit and Emil were talking about this game being a pleasant edge. Just put your rook here as Arjun trade it. But Arjun is like, I don't want to do that. I want to attack. And maybe in doing so, he is risking it a bit. Look at this move. If you take here, queen takes c3 is actually a draw.

Yup.

How?

Queen b4, queen c3, बस nothing. And black doesn't have anything to convert it into an advantage.

That is insane because now, Mruta, bishop a6 is the move. Bishop takes a six, check here, check, and it's a draw.

Hey, but why will you bishop a six? Wait a second.

If you don't take, then on d three it's hanging.

नहीं नहीं what I mean is queen c three check, king b one, queen b four, knight b three. Ah okay there is no perpetual.

Bishop a six is the move. Very nice. Hmm so actually speaking wow.

But nice calculation by Adams.

Yeah, Adams.

Actually, guys, Michael has written a very nice book, Think Like a Machine.

Think Like a Grandmaster.

Think Like a Grandmaster. And he gives a position for, uh, the answers there are given by, uh, intermediate players like 1500. Okay, you can explain it better.

Same position given to a super GM, that is Adams. Then a very strong GM, Granda Julio Zuniga. Then another GM who is around 2500. Then an IM. Then an FM. Then an 1800, 1600. So and all the players, what do they think?

Wow! I love the concept over there, and it's a very popular book. I don't know also whether it is available in Chess Biz India shop or if it is sold out. But if it is available, definitely check it out, guys.

Definitely.

Definitely, yeah. And okay, I guess Sagar found somebody interesting. I believe he's a grandmaster. Are our individual and team gold medal hopes still alive? Absolutely, guys, absolutely. Okay, so this one is Arjun's position, and last move is knight f8, which has been played by Michael Adams, completely making sure that everything is defended over here. And I really want Arjun's knights to be active.

The threat now is knight takes a three, and guys, we have a very special guest joining us. It's Andre Voigtlin is joining us. He is the head of Social Commission of FIDE, and he's also the president of Swiss Chess Federation.

Yes.

Hello.

Wow! Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

You're an important man right now for sure.

Well, he has been doing incredible work. Amrita, the first time I met him was in a jail.

You were in a you went to jail, Sagar. You did not share this with me at all.

In Pune, in Pune, there was chess in prisons program in the Yerwada jail, and Andre was there, and he's been doing some amazing work for the PDA Social Commission. You can check out their social media. It's also very active with many things being posted there. But Andre, there's also something that's very interesting. speak for the Indian viewers and across the world that Switzerland, yes, is going to host the World Championship match between Mukesh and Sindharu.

Yes.

If you could share with the viewers, how did it happen that Geneva became the host city? Yes, it was, uh, it was in July when I was in Geneva. Even in Geneva at the UN, we had an went with Levon Aronian and with Social Chess, and we had a wonderful simul of Levon and went out with him for a drink. And I stayed for the night in the hotel, and in the morning I got the call from the president, from the FIDE president, who says, I hope you are not against it, that we will have the World Championship in Switzerland. And I think I said in this moment, oh, that's Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! So we are really happy as a chess nation to have the World Championship again. We had it in 2004, Leko-Kramnik, and we are very happy to have it back. And already now we are helping FIDE to organize. So the first thing was was to define, okay, who is near to the, to, uh, to the organizational committee. It's Pravita Urveel from India originally, and she will help us to, to maintain the connection to FIDE. FIDE and the local organizing both?

Yes.

Okay, so there is Geneva, the, the organizational club, there is FIDE, the whole team, and we are helping them, for example, for visas already at the moment. And we will have a side event, a Swiss day there. Also, a social chess event will be hosted. And, you know, a lot of ideas are coming at us, and we try to get it planning in the planning process with Emil and Pavel, who are organizing it. So it must be a wonderful show for and for the world. And we are very happy to have Gukesh, who by the way has been also in Biel, so we know him and we are very happy of course to have him back. And yeah, that would be a quite tough fight. Well, it will be the center of attraction for the world of chess for close to 3 weeks. Uh, the venue that is chosen, yes, is the It's called the Bodmer Foundation.

Exactly.

And, uh, it is a very interesting location because it's a library, it's a UNESCO heritage site.

Yes.

And very unusual when you compare it for a World Championship match because usually it's held in hotels. No, that's not true. I mean, not always, but like last one was in a hotel, then the Nepo-Ding match was in a hotel. Okay, the Magnus Nepo was inside the Dubai convention, like the there was this Expo World Expo. But but I can also tell a story because my brother is living in the region, and he is also playing chess, and he is always interested in architecture and a lot of things. And he told me that by accident he was in Lausanne when Vishy Anand played Karpov in the Olympic Museum. So there was also a world championship in a very special location, and he asked to enter. He entered, and then suddenly he was besides Samarkand, who was not Samarkand, the old FIFA president, and And he enjoyed the game. So 3 weeks of such any, uh, such a match, a lot of people will gather to Geneva and follow the match. But I think the, the location is very exclusive, and we have even a Gutenberg Bible there in the, in the library.

Yes.

And it was a not— it was not a Geneva person, it was a person from Zurich. And, uh, yeah, we, we are happy, but I think there are a lot of organizational points to discuss, like the, the venue, the, the, the press center, etc.

But we are—

we hear that it's going on at the moment.

Yeah.

And people, if they come across the world, I think it would be wonderful to come there and watch it in person.

Yes.

Or would you say like it's better to watch it online or Coming there. Well, if you are interested in having, like here, an environment like at the, at the stock exchange to, to know every move, our analysis, then perhaps it's better online. But I mean, as a chess player, to have the opportunity to see such a match by yourself, that's something very special. And then you have the players coming, you have the, the Indian and respect community who is supported by you both. And then we have also these emotional moments where something happens on the board. And no, I think it's important also to see it by life. And we will have a social chess activity. We will, we will show a video from, or a film from a person who has has been sick 26 years in jail, and then when he got out, he got a chess entrepreneur. And I just met him in Chicago, a person named Tony Ballard, who was who was there at the conference, and his film has been shown in the prison in Chicago. And he said to his fellows, "Hey." make something out of your life. And the video is wonderful. So it's only 45 minutes, and we will show it in Geneva. Wow, that's amazing. You know, chess is so powerful that it can change lives of people and give a purpose to someone even inside a prison, that life after prison can have so much of things to do. And I think you brought that out amazingly well in the last last years that you've been working. I know a lot of what you've been doing, so this adds another feather in your cap apart from the Social Commission work, that now a very high-profile match is also happening in Switzerland. André, thank you so much. Thank you very much. Sharing your thoughts, and I'm sure that a lot of people from India are going to come to Switzerland. Yes, and I can tell also the Indian audience that I personally am a great fan of India because with the Social Commission I have been now 5 times in India. Wow, always very well received, and it was always a pleasure to see how dedicated this country is with chess and of course with you both. And I hope you will do this for years now in the coming time, and I hope to see you in Geneva.

Thank you. We have been to— I've been to Biel actually. I played in Biel.

In BL, yeah.

In 2007.

In 2007.

Yeah. In fact, I played with Nikita in the same tournament.

Nikita with Hugo.

Yeah.

All right. Now, Trug is playing on board one.

Wow.

Wow.

Good memory. And today, Switzerland plays against America, the US, the women's team. The women's team. So that's the reason also I'm here. I will then go to see the match, and we hope for a win.

But Yeah, it's a tough scene.

It's a tough game. Yes.

Thank you, Andre. Thank you very much. Have a great time, guys. That was Andre Voigtlin, the chair of FIDE Social Commission and also the president of Swiss Chess Federation. So thank you, Andre, for joining us. And as Andre was here, Pranav Nanda has gotten a big advantage because Nikita Vityubov has just pushed This pawn one step forward, and guys, this is a big moment now.

Look, even if Nikita has gone f five, it's Prav who needs to be witty, witty, witty.

Oh, witty!

He was not able to be witty, witty actually.

Actually, Amruta.

Natural move, ना साधर?

Actually, let's think through it. I saw the first move, but I'm not yet clear.

Wait, I haven't seen. Can I? Can I think? B three, you would be thinking about. Yeah.

B three is the move that comes to mind first of all, and after A B, it's very tough from.

No, not at all. I'll tell you what. Basically, A B, C B. I've not seen the engine. A B, C B, Knight B.

Not C B. Rook B three. This is the point.

Ah, thank you.

And now, guys, black to play. Think what is the move? It's a very. Insanely crazy move. It's a very tough move.

Is it a sacrifice or no?

It is.

It is a sacrifice.

It is not a sacrifice, Amrita. It is a very tough move.

Okay, I got it. I got it.

It's a very good idea, but unfortunately— no, it's a very strong idea, Amrita. You are thinking in the right direction.

Am I in top 3 moves?

No, Amruta's idea is very good, guys. Queen a7, she wants to play. The only problem is knight comes to c6 and removes the queen because you wanted to move the bishop. I understand, but the point is the right move here is the crazy move bishop c8.

Wow, I don't think that most of the people found— said knight a3, but there are people who found bishop सीएट है. Let me take their names. अद्रुष कर्मरकर, शंतनु ठाकुर नहीं.

He said रुपसे.

तमिहा तब.

Without using an engine, guys, please consider playing more chess.

Yeah, but if you found it only without engine, if you found it with engine, then consider being more honest and being more authentic because your improvement otherwise is not going to happen.

But I'm not saying it's very tough. To play such a move, the main point of course is that I want to switch my queen and checkmate you.

Ah, the same idea, but same. More matter is a lot.

And if you do this, now I can play queen c seven.

Yeah. So, but I'll. I mean, this is very tough because the you are understanding that after rook takes b three. Wait, I want to show a point.

Yeah. So the point is b three a b. By the way, you can't take here. Because this starts hanging, and now check and pick this up. So you have to take with the a pawn takes, and rook takes b three.

And the idea is the b two pawn now cannot anyway be pushed. So there is no squares also in general he can create. And if you just try to get a feel of a back rank, like the whole back rank, if you get rook a one mate, queen a one mate. Like literally a mate. So for bishops here, I want to show one more move. Sagar, if white tries to go c3, trying to escape over here, queen a7 and king c2.

And now simply e takes f5, Amruta, with bishop coming to, uh, defending there. Rook e8 coming in, and the rook on b3 is doing nothing.

Like it's entered into another territory which is so until now हाँ तू थोड़ा धीरे बोल सकता है so that your voice is fine yeah I'm fine I'll keep the mic over here उल्टा लगा है क्या तुमने या नहीं हाँ wait yes I don't think it changed anything.

It came back to the same place. But right now, Amruta, Prag has a big chance. But guys, if Prag finds this, look at him, look at the focus here completely in it. If he finds it, he has understood, Amruta. The depth of dynamic chess. That this is the moment where he has to get really into it. Memeto, thank you so much for your super chat. And so while Prag is winning, and we can try to be here, Amrita, would you like to be here or would you like to see Arjun's game?

Wherever you take, you are the findable says. Okay, let's— before we go, we'll ask only one question. You think Prag will find it or no?

I doubt. I think b3 is findable, but maybe what he will do is the second best option, which after takes, takes, takes, he will go e takes f5, and this is also playable.

Got it. And I also would be very curious to check an idea which is very usual Generally, after they take, you go a three. But in this case, the knight is hanging. That's why a move like a three is not gonna work.

By the way, chessophile says I think this should be good for black.

Nope, not really. Sacrifice is not working.

Chessophile says even knight a three should work. Maybe you were discussing this, but here b a Bishop takes d3, c takes d3, ba should also be a good way. And this is more natural, more natural than b3. Correct. Knight a3. Thank you, uh, whoever said this. So, Amruta, let's do a quick roundup of everything, guys. We saw Prague game. Let's quickly see Arjun Erigaisi game. Uh, we have Yash who says, hello, Malat, tumcha doganchi commentary, and by the way, I recently got into chess from Samay's chess streams. Thank you for making It more fun. Thank you, Yashbhai.

Wow!

Thank you, Yashbhai. But Amruta, I have a feeling that Arjun Erigaisi is taking too many risks here because if you see, he has like firstly dedicated his knight to defending here. The pieces of black are active. There is very efficient defense happening on the kingside with the one knight. Holding this together, I think Arjun has to be careful.

But I have a question. First of all, Queen D eight. If I go Queen D eight, okay. So you always have that to kick me out.

But you can't have this idea. This is crazy. Bishop takes. You have to take check now. Knight f8 forced.

और क्या हो रहा है? And now g5.

Now this insane move.

Rook g3, rook h. Wait, rook c8 he is going to play. Okay.

Because knight takes.

Rook g3, rook c8, queen h4.

Knight e5.

Rook c8.

c8.

You have to go back. Draw perpetual to them.

I don't think.

No, no, he should try, he should try.

But Arjun, should he already take a draw?

No, I mean, it depends, like, if the other moves are not working. So for example, if I want to look at a move like Rook g3, firstly I need to look at Knight a3. If at all it's a disco— oops, it's a mistake. And yeah, exactly for the right reason, Knight a3 disco. You have no time to pick up the bishop because Checkmate, guys. One move checkmate. Yeah, which means it's forced, Sagar. Isn't it forced? Either you go this and then Queen e7 with the same idea. So maybe Arjun's game is ending in a draw.

If Arjun makes a draw, I think it should be fine because Prag is better. And meanwhile, Prag hasn't made a move.

Yeah, we need to keep this video so that we know.

Keep this video and we go to Nihal Sarin's game again. Luke McShane has played very well here. He's in fact keeping up the pressure on Nihal. You can see the bishop here attacking a7. The queen well placed. Black knight is not able to do much. Yes, white's pawn structure is a bit loose. But overall, activity-wise, it does feel like white is doing very well.

Okay, I have my Amruta bar, Sagar, which is which is saying twenty moves in twenty in eighteen minutes. And another thing is, if you get under time pressure, white's king is going to be more exposed than black's king because of the space that is created with g three and f four, which means that. That in the last one or one or two minutes when white is having, if Nihal is able to create a very complicated situation for the white king, then Nihal will be better. And also two pawn islands versus three pawn islands.

Sure.

So my bar will say right now that black is better.

Okay, let's leave it at that that the position is quite interesting and chances for both sides. Kukesh, now the thing is. Guke. Oh, by the way, Prag did not sack Amruta. He did not push b3.

Yeah, no, I think it's fine because it was very difficult to understand a rook on b3 gets stuck.

But he plays rook fca.

Very fine move, Sagar. Practically a fine move. Uh, the very first thing that comes to your mind is if f6 is working.

But f6, I think he'll simply e f6, queen f6, and knight g5.

Or ninety-five would be dangerous. Ah, not really. Yeah. Rook g ninety-five. Ninety-five is a blunder, but knight g five.

And now Amruta with one more piece into the attack, you can sacrifice.

Oh, because the d four will be hanging. Got it. No, I like what Prag is doing.

Yeah, it's a good move.

For simple moves, if white does not have a defense, then yeah, he's kind of trapped.

Okay, so Prag gets his rook into the game. He's now threatening this check. He can take here. b3 is also an idea. So Pragnananda definitely looking strong in this position. Let Samruta quickly check what is happening with Gukesh because Gukesh's game— yeah, uh, India would love if Gukesh is able to strike. Like imagine Prag strikes, Arjun Nihal draw, and then because remember we also need game points. We cannot just keep on getting two and half, one and half because Uzbekistan has three more match points than us.

Yeah, not anymore. That is a very game points. So that is a huge pressure on India right now. But you have to survive the pressure. There is no other option, guys. Tata Gath has superchatted just asking what was Emil Sir's evaluation. Was Emil Sir's evaluation okay?

Of which game? He had evaluated many games, I think. Yeah. By the way, Gukesh is in general maybe. पानी पीलो। गुकेश के ओपोनेंट हैज मैन्युअल्ड हिमसेल्फ प्रिटी वेल तू प्लेस हिस पीसेस नाइस्ली The last move, if you see, was bishop e8, and Gukesh goes knight d2. The question is, can can black go bishop h5 pinning here? And maybe this was the idea, Amruta, of going back knight d2, so that so your queen you can move away, but bishop.

Knight takes d4 is now not happening. Knight d4. Yeah, looks fine. No, because majorly in long-term scenario, this could be weak because the pawn cannot be easily pushed to b5. Anyway, if it is pushed, there is c5 square which is weak. And I like rook is already on the c-file. This rook is on the e-file. e6 is weak. Oh, I love Mukesh's position. Why is it only slightly better? I will assess it as much better for white.

Yeah, but I think the last move that I played wasn't great. Bishop h5, maybe something else like knight f5 makes sense with 3 attackers on d4 here.

Yeah, but then the d4 pawn is saying that I will not Leave my spot.

Huge news incoming that Ding Liren has blundered here.

No way!

Yeah, sure, sure, sure. Ding Liren has made a mistake in this position. Just so that everyone is aware of what is. Happening. Let me see if we have. Here we have the China versus Kazakhstan, and here we have USA. So but I will go here. I think we had placed it, but for now let's use this to go to Ding Ding game.

प्रका तो देख ले Oh my!

So it was equal, Amruta, and then instead of—

but Emil had mentioned, no, this is much easier because white has these outside passers. And yeah, he gave up a pawn.

I think he had something in mind. Ah, I understand. He wanted to take this. Take this bishop takes f and take this. This was his plan.

But queen takes a seven तो नहीं आ रहा है g two पे mate है इसके लिए bishop f one and this is hanging and let's say you save the no no no you don't save you have to use the rook white is simply saying that I have two passers over here I think सागर there is nothing much it's just it's just so simple Please, tickly, the pawns will be pushed.

So Nodirbek Abdusattorov is pushing against Ding Liren.

Oh God.

And Wei's game is very interesting.

Wow, you found that plan of King b7 and that's all happening.

He played it.

Wei is down to how much time? Oh, but 10 minutes.

He is fighting hard. He may want to push the pawn I like white's position, Amruta. Black looks quite passive.

If I go bishop b6, c5, then white is very happy, right?

Yeah. So in a way, looking interesting here. Yu Yangyi against Yakubov right now is in this position and is around equal.

Yeah, this will end in a draw.

Madamino's game and also a complex game here.

Rook f three को क्या हो रहा है?

Attacking here and maybe ninety three. This will end in a draw. Opposite colored bishops. So in a way, China is currently winning here. At this point, sorry, Uzbekistan is winning because Nodirbek Abdusattorov. But Sindarov-Veii is the key game because other 2 games are looking like drawn.

So for Veii, he's under pressure. He needs to beat Sindarov, but he has 13 minutes on the clock. 10 moves are to be made. He has actually managed to get out of the preparation successfully. Where you have put a lot of energy and time. So now from henceforth, it is a big responsibility for Vaisagar that he uses his time well. How are you, Harshit bhai?

Harshit bhai is not feeling up to the mark today. So maybe Harshit bhai, today you can take some break and maybe take some rest and recover.

Yeah, Harshit bhai, you can get the scent. मतलब क्या चल रहा है ऐसा आ रहा है ना? मतलब nose is in use ना से you are able to breathe and all.

Take rest.

Do you want anything like smoothie or something?

You want energy bar? By the way, one huge news is that Nihal Sarin opponent has only seven min ten minutes in hand For next twenty moves. भाई अमृता बार याद रख। अरे अमृता ने पहले ही बताया कि guys it's not only about position, it's also about the clock and Nihal Sarin is doing it. And let's quickly check also the game of women section so that we can come back here. Firstly, huge news and a good news for India is that Koneeru Hampi is now out of. Problems. She's not worse. In fact, she is the one who can press with rook b five, rook d three, with the b three pawn being weak.

That is really a good news because here she has a potential outside passer. But as we always talk about that two rooks and a bishop is a better combination than two rooks and a knight. So it's she has good chances to convert this, but not easy.

Yeah, complex. Let's go to the next one. We have Elizabeth Bates versus Vaishali. I like Vaishali's chances here. Dark squares are weak, and another board where India could potentially put pressure. But what I don't like is Vaishali's clock. She has only 10 minutes left, and she has to speed up. It's very similar to the Nihal game.

Yeah, but but here the no no the difference is Vaishali is having the edge. She is putting pressure. When your opponent's king is weak, then that is the person who needs to stress a bit more.

Divya— and look at Emil Sutowski and Harshit Bhai, both had mentioned they like Divya's chances, and this position is looking great for Divya Deshmukh. She's recovered her pawn, although they are doubled. The g2 pawn is soft. The bishop is very active on light squares. Divya Deshmukh, Olympiad में बढ़िया खेलती है। क्या बात? कुछ भी करो, she is always performing well at the Olympiad.

Love it, love it, love it. नहीं black का white का king f1 पे। So we are today having a very positive outlook for women.

Yeah. Already we can expect two and half out of three on top three boards. Meanwhile Savita Shree today Should hold herself on the last board. She is under some pressure, I feel, because Amruta, look at the bishop, the knight. Black pieces are just very active.

Hmm. Now that I see three versus two on the queen side, the knight definitely is active. I love the bishop over here, but if there were queens on the board, it would be different. Okay. May not be easy to. Like this doesn't seem like white can win this at this point.

By the way, Divya gets up from the board. She's looking at all other boards and making sure that you know she takes the right decisions on the board. And I think for Divya to strike today is super critical.

Okay, we have seven thousand people watching. Guys, like the stream. Have we announced neuro focus of the moves again?

Yes, we have announced neuro focus.

Can I guess?

No, actually it was Sindaro's move. But we can announce one more if you have any way. I think Amruta, we will get Prague के गेम में Queen G three is on the board and I think Prague plays B three which we have been discussing or Knight A three. It will be the neuro focus moves of the day and if Sacrifice! Let's go, Pragna Nanda here with the action. You know, he managed to find this move, Amruta.

And wait, one second.

It is— look at this, it is the neuro focus moves of the day. What a move by Pragna! Because since he has played this move, now it's a winning position. Ba3, I take your rook. C takes d3. And now Amruta, very, very solid move. Queen moves in and it is finito, as Harshit Bhai says. f6, g6, you are coming to checkmate me in 2 moves, but unfortunately you are one move Too late to the party. It is checkmate. So, so amazing play here by Pragna Nanda by finding knight a three check. Prag is actually in the driver's seat, Amruta.

Wow, Sagar. I have one question to you. If white takes the knight, okay? If white takes the knight, which dish? Which dish you will call? Call this. मतलब अगर ये खाना है, तो कौन सा dish रहेगा? English में, English में। Pulao.

उसपे कि pulao.

No, it's a very very witty question guys. Very witty because Prag is playing against witty over. But that's why I don't think you will get the answer.

What is the book? Answer.

Okay, let people try. Okay, I'll give you a hint. Night on the rim is dim dim sum. Let's go. अरे ताली दे दो यार. Tonight will be the dim sum. कैसा लगा guys? Out of ten, how will you rate it? कभी आता था क्या तुमको ये fish and chips बोला था at least oh भाई प्रियांशु got the answer dim sum प्रियांशु well done क्या बात है नहीं नहीं when you said like already the comment was there सच में ख़ाशी हो गई सागर should not encourage this You mean Sagar should control me?

No, no. I should just not laugh on these jokes, which I did not.

Which he doesn't do it. So yeah, that's the.

But Amruta is always self motivated when it comes to jokes. It's not external motivation ever.

Guys, I always think that suppose I am on a deathbed, then these are the jokes which will keep me going.

Or let's say if you are on the deathbed, you would be like मैंने इतने So you basically are saying it.

कि भाई मैं बोल देती हूँ। Yeah, like I just need to have the skill of making myself laugh.

Right.

So when I'm alone also at home, I can do that. And I think it's more important that I am able to be happy with even a fall to joke than be not happy with very very serious life.

I think Amruta, you have definitely earned the title of the PJ queen.

Oh, from Tactical Queen. Yeah, because my tactical insight is not there anymore.

For this tournament, you are the PJ Queen.

PJ Queen is a nice guy.

And guys, Knight a3 check on the board. You can see Nikita Vityugov, you, you can see him under pressure, tremendously under pressure here.

Shriram says, neuro move of the day is Sagar's reaction for Amruta's That's true.

Rakshit Singh is like in my funeral. ऐसे jokes सुना देना क्या बता पता मैं उठके वहाँ से भाग जाऊँ? Wow, that is incredible, guys. Amruta's jokes will have lot of things that can help humanity in many different ways. And Gukesh seems to be doing well. What? No, guys, Gukesh is fine. But let's quickly go to Arjubhai's game, guys. Arjun's game, we did see, we were talking about this thing that maybe he has to press the brakes, and he is doing it, guys. Arjun Erigaisi He's basically saying to himself, "I don't want to take any more risks. I will be here, and I will not try to overpress the position." And Amruta, Queen E7, Rook C7 is happening. Arjun Erigaisi will most Divya is winning.

अरे Wow! Oh, ये draw हो रही है। I think it's a good decision because if Arjun would have tried to really stretch, then it would be a big trouble.

But I believe oh Sakar Chess says I pre-ordered the new shirt. Guys, check out the link. There are many links in the description that we have put. One of them is about the new shirt with a chess design. Not this one, something else. But you can pre-order it already on our Website, so do check it out. Meanwhile, Arjun is drawing. We have Pragnananda who is better. We will go to Nihal Sarin's game, but I think Amruta Nihal's game bit slow, but he pushed D five and you पहले ही था Queen B three आ गए हाँ you are right he is definitely ahead on the clock his position is okay. Looking interesting. So this is Nihal. Let's go to Guki. By the way, Guki is not on the board, Amruta. Let's look at this view for all our viewers here without the board in the middle. Wow! अब बोर्ड इधर रख सकते हैं ना अमृता?

हाँ, बोर्ड साइड में रख सकता है ना। ये प्लेयर्स दिखेंगे पे। और ये we can stretch this. एक मिनट एक मिनट। ये पहले का है क्या? या हिमांशु भाई There, wow!

Yeah, right now I think there is a small opportunity to go inside for like few minutes. यहाँ पर लगते हैं इंडियन प्लेयर्स वहाँ पे चल रहे हैं। So guys, this is the position of Gukesh and he is slightly better because after bishop h5 he went queen a4. Bishop went back. He went bishop b5 and trade, trade, and he keeps the queens on the board. There is pressure here. There is pressure here, and Gukesh has some things going for him.

Yeah, also twenty the time is pretty equal here. Twenty-two moves are done, and they have to make eighteen moves. Fernandez has only nineteen minutes. Gukesh also only twenty-three minutes. So I like Gukesh's position here personally because of the weaknesses in black's camp. I think sir, this will get a little fiery, fiery a little later.

Amrita, can you quickly?

This game is the right now people want to see.

Do you want? Do you want to check Divya? Because she was winning.

Yeah, yeah. That we should have a look at.

I don't know if why it was winning, but there we see the last move by Kleck was. Rook c2, not a good move, and Divya quickly goes rook knight c6. And now what's essentially happening is there's pressure here.

Knight d4 is the direct threat over here.

Wow!

And the knight can't move because you lose the rook.

Save the d4 pawn.

Wow!

I can with bishop e3. She plays it.

Can I go f6 over here?

Wow! That's a great idea, Amrut.

Okay, let's go. It's a very good move, but it's a very decent move.

The best move here is to—I want to go rook g eight. Maybe I can even do h five and then rook g eight.

Okay, rook d g eight makes sense or no?

Also possible, but you may need this rook to defend this knight slightly weakened that. But yeah, Divya Deshmukh. Is putting pressure. Meanwhile, Vaishali also her opponent is thinking, which is very good.

I think Amruta Hampi यहाँ पे थोड़ा बहुत तो मुझे भी लग रहा है this she will manage to create a lot of pressure and if Dinara defends well ज़्यादा कुछ नहीं है but it depends how Dinara's defense mechanism will be correct it's a great point.

And I'm a bit worried about Savita, to be honest, because she is not a player who loves to defend inferior endgames. Let's hope that she's able to hold it together. Agreed.

Wesley So is losing. That's the news. No way! He is completely losing. No way! That is the news. Prag, let's go and check once Prag's game just to see, because you know when you are attacking, when you are sacrificing. अगर कुछ, it's an interesting game सागर। Do not miss some moves.

You mean which game? Prag's game.

Just to make sure that every move is seen. I think it's gonna be the game of the day for the Indian board.

Oh, by the way, did you see that after rook takes a3, ba, he played an intermezzo f6, and Prag had queen f8 prepared.

White has given an exchange for, for actually nothing, Sagar. Literally, even if you are gaining that a3 pawn, which you're maybe not, it's still a double pawn. So Prag is clear material up.

He's an exchange up, minus 2.5 almost, which means that he's going to convert this with also more time on I think Prag's move pawn push is pretty forced, Amruta, because if he takes b takes a three, the rooks open up and that would be really bad. So b three, take here, take here, and this could be quite quite a position. By the way, taking may not be the best decision. Maybe rook c three, and okay, it's a fight, but Amruta Prag. is clearly on the superior side.

Ding has blundered, so let's see, uh, what's happening there.

Oh, I think Ding completely, uh, flipped off here. You can see here, Ding Liren first gave up this, played Rook d7. He took here, Rook takes, Rook e3, and now this huge mistake. And Nodirbek Abdusattorov is not going to let it go.

Okay, so I think this is very clear. North is winning.

He has missed the tactic. Rook takes e six, rook d two, and now okay maybe many moves win, but bishop e three is very nice. It's opposite color bishop, but Yeah, it's just winning.

Wait a second. When you said showed D two, Bishop D two.

Sorry. Sorry. गलती से लग गई. So, Nodirbek can take here. He can even take here. This is also a very clean way to win. Queen E two with taking this pawn. So, Nodirbek winning. Very Is down to five minutes, and position has clarified. He should be able to hold this.

But Sagar double bishop for a rook is always eventually it comes to white needing to make accurate moves again and again, and just one wrong moment and Zindarov's bishops will be massive.

But he has two pawns. He has two pawns.

I am already very.

वे कैन मैनेज दिस। याकूबोएव आल्सो इस प्रेसिंग। वाओ, आई मीन उज़बेकिस्तान इफ़ दे आर फाइटिंग लाइक दिस विथ चाइना, डेफिनेटली दे, दे डिजर्व टू बी द लीडर्स। दे विल, दे विल विन विथ अ ह्यूज़ मार्जिन टुडे, दे उज़बेक टीम, अ दैट डज़न सीम आल्सो लाइक अ ड्रॉ इज़ इन Not in problems on any board. Even Madaminov is fighting really, really well. Let's head over to the by the way before going to the India board, a quick look at the U.S. board equal on Haik Martirosyan versus Karuana. Wesley So is in trouble.

Yeah, he's losing. People were saying, oh my God! And draw. So Nasiyan is like he will not let it go.

Yeah, very. सॉलिड प्लेयर हांस नीमन वर्सेस शांत सर्गिसियान शांत इस प्रेसिंग अ बिट एंड अ वांडर इस गोइंग टू गेट द मेन पॉइंट वेल मेबी दैट्स व्हाई यूएसए इस स्टिल इन विथ अ चांस हियर मीनवाइल प्रग्नानंदा गेम ह5 प्लेड बाय निकिता विचुगोव एंड हाउ डू यू कंटिन्यू Like very first question, if a takes b two, is there a problem?

Rook b eight, is there a problem? These would be the two moves.

I think taking here Amruta is a great idea because you can then put your bishop on a good square.

But if if rook b eight works after h five, then I would prefer rook b.

Then b three, right?

A b three. You have to play a b three. Wow! This is equalized.

So Prag has to be very careful, Amrita, not try to— uh, by the way, very important, Arjun rejected draw. No way!

Okay, Queen e8 is what? Oh my God, wait, really?

So if Rook c8, he played this one, then here, then repeated, then repeated, then repeated. And Adams thought it's a drop, but now he goes here. And you know, Arjun is so tricky, Amruta. He could have played this directly, but he repeated twice. And now if Rook c8, he is winning. Wait, wait, wait, wait. He's winning, guys. White to play and win. What's the move? What's the move? Go for it. Wow! Found it.

Of course, Michael Adams is not going to fall for this.

But it is a. Kanish says Uzbek beating China will almost get them gold. Not sure yet, but why not?

I am like I'm in the form they are.

Armenia, USA, some teams are still left, but yes, they will be the favorites.

When you're fighting against somebody who is so much sweeping things in a way, you will feel even a draw is great. I think Uzbek is.

Just playing like India last year. Absolutely. Bishop h7. Well done, all those who have found king takes, queen takes, and mate coming in. Funny. Only move for Michael Adams to keep balance is knight takes a3.

Attacking here. You're winning upon knight a3 for bishop d3. I have to take, otherwise knight c3 checkmate.

But I won't, I won't do this because Because I will first sack.

Whoa! Knight g5 check. The same thing. Why is white not winning then after knight g5 check? King g8 and your rook is still on c7, so defends f7.

But I think Arjun Erigaisi has taken some risks here which I don't know he should have or not. It is exciting, but it can get very dangerous here. His king is weak. If he took here back with the knight as well, it is like his king would go back. I don't know, Amruta. I think Arjun is just crazy.

How long did he think for Queen E? I'm very interested. Oh wait! So he must have thought at some other point when he went Queen D eight. Okay. So here, guys, he has taken seventeen minutes. Yeah. Or sixteen minutes, which means अगर he had thought Gukesh is winning. Let's go! Actually, I am very impressed with Arjun. Yeah, how do they manage to take such a risk?

Well, Arjun is fighting. He's hoping that his opponent, uh, fumbles up. But meanwhile, Gukesh is playing well. b5, Bishop f4, slowly and steadily outwitting his opponent. Queen d3. Now pressurizing e six, bishop active, rook active. मतलब अगर देखोगे अमृता, it was looking equal equal and suddenly Gukesh's all pieces are superiorly placed.

No, I completely think it was supposed to enter into some territory like this because e six is very weak. मतलब बहुत ज़्यादा weak था e six वाला है. e five square is great. Gukesh His pieces are placed so perfectly over there, so black needed to be accurate.

Meanwhile, we have news, bad news from the women's side. It seems Savita has made a bad move. She plays f four and is now in trouble. Guys, we did mention about the fact that Savita's position looks dicey with black being super active. What's happening?

F6 को bishop d5 check, so f6 is not a problem.

Yeah, well the problem is knight c5, bishop d5, and knight d3 with bishop coming in.

Okay, I mean the computer is a little too much. And knight f4, but I wouldn't call it so bad. Like maybe there will be more things. Well, I blunder नहीं भाई वही तो बहुत important है guys वही ने blunder कर दिया है दोस्तों but it was suppose because how long can you play on five minutes feel that pressure अभी तो नहीं किया है no not yet नहीं किया है अभी चल रहा है guys which which game do you want to right now stay at like I would personally want to be at drugs game your wish is my command मतलब आज तुमने कुछ लाया नहीं ड्राई फ्रूट्स वगैरह कुछ ड्राई फ्रूट्स नहीं मिला वो बाहर का वित्तल चॉकलेट हाँ से एनर्जी मीडिया रूम में लेके आऊँ नहीं बाद में देख हाँ बट लावा इज़ देर नो इट्स टू स्वीट आई कुड़न्ट ईट इट या इट्स वेरी स्वीट आई मीन इट्स वेरी नाइस बिटर कॉफी Oh, yeah, winning.

Guys, today if we see our eight boards, four in men, four in women. Prag better, Arjun fighting, Nihal fighting. Oh, he takes AB two. Good move, good move, Prag. Good move. Nihal fighting, Gukesh better, winning. So two fight. 2 better in open. In women, Hampi fighting slightly better, uh, Divya better, uh, Vaishali slightly better, and Savita in trouble. So right now, out of 8 players, only 1 player is in trouble, but she can fight back. I think what is very important, Amruta, today is for Hampi, Vaishali, one of them to strike Because if they don't, then Divya winning and Savita losing could happen and equalize.

Yeah, no, but I think as you mentioned, Hampi has really good chances to put pressure. She will do it while Prag has made his move and Arjun, you know, has played. Wait, Knight a3 happened!

All of this happened what we analyzed, Amruta. Knight takes a3, good move by Michael Adams. He's a world-class player. Bishop takes, King B takes A three, and they usually say a knight is the best friend of the king.

But I must say that Arjun का जो ability है risk लेने का एक अलग ही level पे। I find it very impressive, you know, because in a way in life it can help you. Risk means many times things are uncertain, and you are okay with that uncertainty. And believe me, it is a great ability to develop. Yeah, I've seen Sagar having that ability quite a lot.

Not at all on the chessboard?

Not on chessboard, but very surprisingly, like, out of chessboard. It's a very contradictory thing because they say that through chess you can understand a personality, but Sagar's personality is different from his chess.

Well, I don't know, maybe I will take some risks on the chessboard as well.

You did take a risk by marrying me.

By the way, on our help chess guys, we have a widget here. So anyone who would like to support young Indian talents can contribute on helpchess.org. We have nine close to nine thousand people watching. Please do check it out. Meanwhile, Vityugov is going all in, Amruta. Vityugov कह रहा है कि मुझे पता है कि मैं हार रहा हूँ. I'm losing this. I need to go all in, and he is bringing his rook to attack there. But wait a second.

So now does black have anything like finish it off? Like I would love to look at this move bishop d three because if you take check, but it's not a mate. Nope, it's not working. Not working, guys. Just missed. But Imagine you give up a piece and you are still better because you are exchange. A three, people are suggesting A three. Nice move there. You have what?

Like Rook G four? I have. Hmm. Bolo. Wow! Wow! A three is just insane, guys. Black to play. What is the move here? It is an incredible move.

I got it.

Same idea, no? Yes. And we have Janasena who has found it. The move is bishop to d3. This time after takes, it's a checkmate because the pawn is not hanging. And if you take rook g7, king h8, it's safe because knight g5, you are almost about to Checkmate me, but I have takes. Oh, sorry. Ah, bishop not bishop takes. Wow, guys, the move is rook takes c two, threatening a mate. Knight takes c two, bishop takes, queen takes, and now a very important move which could be missed. Rook to c8 check.

If you go back, I checkmate you.

If you move out, now I go b1 queen and the queen defends at 7. That is the big point. This is just crazy variations.

This is also an attack and defense, but he defends with the rook.

He's setting up the same trap because he's protected. Your bishop d3 is coming. What a fit!

I mean, this will be one of the most Most beautiful finish, right? If we have that, so cool, man. So cool. Pragna Nanda five.

एक बार full screen दिखा दो। Top वाला बंदा प्रग्ना नंदा guys.

Super! What a what a game! What a finish! And I mean Nikita Vityagov is a very strong player. The way Prague has understood the whole position, slowly able to create an attack on the kingside. Just brilliant, sir.

And you know, Amruta, Vityugov cannot even trade queens because take, take, and take again leads to bishop d3. Always this is the problem. I take, take, rook takes, king takes queen. So rook b8. Is such a beautiful move by Frog.

So the last move at white when he went Rook h4, he actually completely had to leave the first rank defense, and it is bringing all these tactics.

And if you try to defend it passively, Amruta, my bishop just sits here, I give you a pawn, but there is nothing much you can do because now the bishop also defends here, attacks here. Next move I can bring my queen. By the way, Amr has blundered or what?

Wait a second, just a quick look.

Not blundered, not at all. I think he his best move was rook takes rook and then coming in, but he went bishop e five. So he's kept his small edge.

Yeah, very fine. No, bishop e five because. Because it's it's not the first engine, it's the second engine.

But you go made a move.

Yeah, let's stay here guys because this one is an amazing finish we are going to look at. Okay, by the way, Harshit Raja, you know today was not very well the thing and football, so he's gone.

You know guys, since yesterday I have seen Harshit in such shape where I have never seen him before. Like he's tired, exhausted. I think yesterday that under the intense sun he played two hours of football and that took a lot of energy from him. So he needs a day to recover. He will be back just like our boys are back today against England.

Yeah, China is losing also. You know, I think Uzbekistan is completely. The so going to be the sole leaders now and very difficult for any other team to stop Uzbekistan. So I would even practically talk about a silver and gold for other teams, other teams. हाँ इतना जल्दी नहीं अमृता तुमको just five rounds are remaining out of which today is the first round.

All you need is one wrong move by one player and the match changes. That's what happened with India-Uzbekistan. Remember?

It was going India's way. Uzbekistan played with India and there it changed. Right now India has already lost with Uzbekistan.

Yeah, but there is USA. I don't count them out.

USA is very strong. Yeah, on a given day they can.

Oh, we have help chess contributor just when we said today Ajay Deshpande. Thank you so much for contributing thousand and one. And Prag has just made his move.

Boom! Bishop. Full screen दिखाओ एक बार, guys. See on the board the bishop d3 move. Look at Pragnananda so confident. Somebody is watching the game as well.

क्या ही मजा आ रहा है ये? We have Amruta maybe an overview camera covering this. Oh Indian Indian women's board is being covered here. Wow! We'll go there in a bit. And here is China versus Uzbekistan that you can see. But we will stay with Pragnananda versus Vityugov because Nikita Vityugov knows that he cannot pick up the bishop as rook c1 is a checkmate. And if he doesn't, then rook takes c2, knight takes c2, bishop takes c2, king takes c2, b1 queen is coming.

So so is this like going to be over in the next two three moves?

Maybe, but Nikita can say, "Oh, I want to defend with knight e1." Then bishop e4 and Prag will win this slowly because now he has complete domination. By the way, there was one idea, Amruta, which was in my mind for a long time. I just want to check because I was analyzing here. I thought that we could play bishop c4, rook g4, and I was thinking bishop takes King takes, and I wanted to give this queen up like this, and then make a queen and try to checkmate. But somehow I'm a bit too late because I am getting checkmated.

Very cool, but very cool that you thought of this idea.

I was thinking about it for some time, but yeah, nice queen sacrifice. Okay, I want to quickly go to the women's board because We have.

Let's keep Prags cameras. अगर भी you don't want to miss any.

अरे पर अभी विट्यू को क्या defence करेगा वो उसको थोड़ा time.

How many of you want to see Prags camera?

No, they want to see the defence. विट्यू को का defence अभी women का भी ऐसा camera वो लोग overview camera में लाते नहीं हैं अमृता। So we should take advantage of this and see it right now very quickly because we can see all four boards. Let please check the chat. No, you can check the chat if they are saying let's go to Prague then.

Don't sack the queen, sack the rook, says Blame. Don't sack the rook, guys, sack the bishop, says Prague.

Okay, firstly you can see Soyam Mishra, their coach of the team. He is looking at the games. You can see Humpy on the right, then Vaishali, then Divya, then we have Savita all very focused, and everyone is like prag prag jate prag. But okay, very quickly just finishing this. I think Amruta Humpe pushing.

Yeah, I'm sure she's even if it goes into rook endgame, the advantage is you have two pawns on the queen side.

Yes, I love this. Great. I think Humpe will convert this even though the engine is showing equal. Lovely. I'm a bit worried about Vaishali's time, Amruta. Look at that, she has only two minutes left.

Two minutes only, and eleven moves, no? And eleven moves.

She's. I hope Vaishali doesn't make a blunder because time pressure has been plaguing her. She goes F three or G three. What did she play? She made a move, but maybe it's not the best move.

So while Prague clearly winning over there, your Vaishali is. Trying hard to create an attack. F3 played fine. Actually, it's a good move. No, it's like a granite against the opponent.

Divya, look at Divya Deshmukh. She has incredible pieces, guys. This is beautiful. She's totally winning because look at white pieces. सब एक साइड पे पकड़ के बैठ गए। And then here is where. So imagine, Amruda, if Vaishali holds it. Together, and Savita somehow holds this one together. Then India will have a very good convincing victory. But if Savita goes wrong or Vaishali goes wrong, it will be a close match.

Savita goes yeah yeah no I think Savita will manage to somehow trick her opponent and end in a draw. That's what is my prediction. But Hampi is going to win.

No move made by Nikita with Hugo here. Guys, Bishop D three. What a classy move! We've been talking about this. This, and I want to draw your attention to this move as the neuro focus moves of the day. What an incredible move this was by Pragnananda and Amrita. Do you want to try neuro?

ख़तम हो गया?

नहीं है, नहीं है.

अक्षय कुमार ने यह super chatter cheers to Prags move here. What an intelligent game today by him, man.

I think it all began with the move knight to a five by Pragnananda. Moving his knight to the side of the board. That was really cool. Vitkugov used to play for Russia. Yes, he changed his federation couple of years ago, became the England number one. But right now his rating has dropped. So David Howell, I think, is the current England number one. But England David is not playing somehow in the Olympia team. Amrita, do you want to quickly check what Arjun is doing? Yeah. So Arjun Erigaisi's position after ba3, king g8, knight e5, queen came to b5, Arjun took, king b2. And you know, while Arjun is still playing on, I must say that this position does look favorable. You know, like white— black is the one who could get a lot out of it. Firstly, a majority Secondly, knight e7, knight c6, knight f5, knight c4. Rook here well placed. Pod structure bulletproof. Okay, it is scary.

And, uh, and Michael Adams doesn't have any time issues also.

Adams is a great player of such technical positions, so have to be careful there.

Nihal Sarin has got his bishop to f6. He's found the best move. Time they got time, and only four minutes to Luke McShane.

Wow!

Crazy. So Nihal, I think again the bar for me with black will be minus one because of the time.

But I think Nihal has also taken a lot of time. And the time is. आज आज निहाल बोल रहा है, आज पूरा सोच के खेलूँगा। Last time when he had made a mistake, he had taken fifteen extra, like he had thirty extra minutes and yet he had gone wrong. So today he's playing this calmly.

By the way, Vansh says, "Yo, by the way, I got a booking on Chess Dial yesterday." Yes, by the way, guys, do check out chessdial.com.

Actually, it is coach.chessbase.com. Very soon we will shift it on chess dial as well. And Prague, what a move played by Prague! Oh my God, Amruta, we have to go and explain this because Vityugov—

that's what I'm saying, this is an important finish. It's very rarely we get such finishes, Sagar.

Oh, Vityugov played Knight d2 to defend here because now Rook c2, your idea is not working anymore. Bishop c2, Knight c2, Rook c2, King here. And you can't make a queen knight defense. So that was the brilliant point of Vitugo's move, and he said, "You can't go here. I'll take it. You can't go here. I'll take it. You can't go anywhere." But Prag said, "Why do I have to go?" Queen takes d3 is threatening.

Exactly. Prag simply defended this because c takes d3 pawn safe bishop is never hanging because of the mate. And white is like, okay, bishop c two. Now another threat in the picture: check and win the queen. What a finish!

What a move! What a move! What a move! He takes here on g seven. Prag moves his king to the side. He knows that he's winning. Amruta, what a game this has been!

You know, it reminds me, Sagar, of this very very famous quote. Chess like love, like music, has the power to make man happy.

Yeah, this is a very famous quote by Taras, I believe.

Yes, and and this is exactly the feeling right now. It looks artistic. It looks like you're listening to your favorite song. Such a beautiful position. It can give you joy. And there you have Bukesh watching. Watching Prag's game and it's going to be very happy for sure.

Well, there you see, guys, this is the place where Gukesh went and he knows that Prag is winning. That will give him a lot of confidence and energy. This is what happens in a team tournament, you feed off the energy of each other. Rook c3, what a beautiful move here, threatening bishop takes c2 and rook g3. A very, very powerful move. Yeah, but too good.

Also, it's a very classic game to show how black can play from that French defense with that one change when, as Emil had mentioned, that white long castled and it's completely different.

Yeah, with the king on b1 because he saw that attack could come in and the attack has come in and how. Amruta, it has come in in a most crazy fashion that one could have never imagined. Here you can see Vichugo with his hands in his head, uh, head in his hands. He will be resigning most likely. Akshay Kulkarni super chatting, cheers to Prague again. Thank you, Akshay Kulkarni. And guys, if you are enjoying this broadcast, please do like this stream because India is making a comeback into the Olympiad after losing last time. Again, last round against Uzbekistan. They are coming back. Oh, Gukesh is winning.

Not winning, थोड़ा ज्यादा रहेगा. But let's see. क्या है? कुछ तो कोई. Whose move it is?

King H8. Wow! Wow! Gukesh's position is definitely looking better. Bishop D8. Rook takes. Knight takes. Prag. Oh nice! We maybe you want to join us for a bit. We are two of. You can join in. And yeah, yeah.

Can players emote on seeing another board?

They can emote, but I think they usually don't. They try to keep the integrity of the game by not trying to show, uh, anything. Like, you could see Gukesh last time was very sad on Nihal's blunder, but he kind of did it from the side. He did not like Like go into the face because that's not how they do it. You will see those micro expressions on the faces of the players, and right now you can see Nikita Vichugo is thinking. And Amruta, so many super chats because people love Prag. Give me dopamine says for you, Prag. That's so amazing.

Nice. Well, people are saying.

Guys, Prag ko aaj pani ka bhi zarurat nahi hai. He is looking good and by the way, all the people who said like why is Gukesh better? For a simple reason that all his pieces are on superior squares as compared to the black pieces. And now it's time for Gukesh to strike in. This is the toughest part, Amruta. You have built up your position. You have to strike with tactics. Knight takes e6, queen e6, bishop g7 attacking the queen, taking here queen f7, bishop f8, queen f8.

And you are saying that the two pieces—

this is winning, this is winning totally, Amruta. This is just crushing.

King is weak.

Okay, but wow, let's see if Gukesh plays this because there are other ways to play here like g4. The knight is almost Trapped and goes here.

I know you're very, very excited, but take care of your throat. Water Gambit. Rahul says, "Please bring Samay also." Love you, Sagar and Amrita.

So, right, Samay. Samay bhai ko bolte hai ki flight करके पाकिस्तान आ जाए। ये वो आ जाएगा actually। India's got latent का episode olympiad में कर लेगा तो तो और भी crazy हमलोग तो इधर एक must panel भी बना सकते हैं यहाँ पे अलग-अलग country के लोग आ सकते हैं perform करने का। I think there are so many talents here not just chess but of many of the chess players there are a lot of other talents as well। क्या बात है? We could have thought of this before.

India has got a latent global, yeah? For chess players. India has got latent for only, yeah, chess players. Completely intellectual India has got talent.

Oh, by the way, look at Nihal Sarin's game, Amruta. He is now clearly better. Let's go, Nihal boy! I think Nihal's victory is super important for the team because Nihal was feeling a bit low. Yesterday after his loss, and if he manages to make a comeback, he will feel so positive.

But Anil will make a comeback. He and I really love that everybody gave him the man of the match award, as Srinath had written on Twitter about it. Yeah, very nice, very sweet.

Just for the people who are not aware, Indian team has this tradition that after every round they give a Best Game of the Day Award. Like, it's just an internal thing that Srinath or maybe the coach and the team decide together, and they give it to one person. And they unanimously gave it to Nihal. They said, for your fighting spirit, for the way you played, you deserve it. It doesn't matter that you lost the game. We just respect the grind. And I think that is what matters so much. This is why they as a team India. Is really cool, and I think hats off to even Srinath, the coach of the team, who is coming up with such epic concepts. You know, because at the end of the day, these players don't need coaching. They are anyway world class. What they need is good spirits.

पर ये ये जो सब पूरा कॉन्सेप्ट है सागर, who came up with it?

Any idea? I I don't know. I think they came up with it in 2024 Olympiad Beachmen. In round, middle of the round, they thought that it's good to create this kind of tradition.

I think panel maybe we can have award of the day.

Well, we do have the neurofocus boost of the day, so that is.

दिनसम के लिए award मिल सकता है, दिनसम.

Oh, तुमको दे सकते हैं. I think for the best joke of the day, always the other commentator apart from Amruta would get it. Oh, कुछ ही four players.

Queen to g4. Let's see how to finish this.

By the way, we can see Humpy has only five minutes left. There there came time trouble for Humpy. It's a beautiful bar that has been created by Rakshit. It gives standings bars. There is updates of the game. Someone winning, someone losing. Hats off.

Grey Ninja says this used to happen at Indian India Cricket World Cup 2023. Okay, wow! Very interesting. Maybe they not to forget the contribution of Vidit Bhai. Absolutely.

Guys, Vidit Gujarati का जो contribution है, that go that can go unnoticed. But I can tell you the amount of positive energy is bringing to the team. He is like the बड़े भैया of the team, right? He is the big brother. Oh, that's a nice name. Yeah, the thing is that he being there adds so much of positive energy. Like all the players, if they want to tell him something. Like even at the Bermuda party, Amruta, when Gukesh may have wanted to come for a few minutes, Vidit was there for him. He was like, I will be there and I will come back with you. So you know, there is this kind of element of him taking care of these youngsters. Very sweet.

Yeah, also it's not easy to adapt to different roles in general many times, but Vidit has been contributing immensely, uh, also chairing wise as well, and we were very lucky that he could join the commentary once.

Well, maybe we will ask him to join if India starts doing well. Meanwhile, Luke McShade down to 45 seconds.

Wow, 12 moves in 45 seconds for a complicated position with your king. Not easy. He has to make the opponent blunder. Oh, and we have received a super chat also, and Jimmy says, Divya, my queen.

Well, Divya Deshmukh, guys, she has been an Olympiad queen for India, always striking when it's needed the most. I hope that she's able to convert today. But look at this, 10, he goes with 11 seconds 91.

Wait, but the bar for black is going ahead. And Prag's opponent also played. एक मिनट, let's quickly check that move and come back over here.

He played Queen g4. Prag doubled down the c-file. Now threatening takes takes Rook c2.

Oh! And black white is nothing on the kingside. Look at this thing.

If cd3 check, Queen b4 ख़तम ना?

King takes, Queen b4 Knight b3, Queen b4 A three, a three. Mate. Wow!

Pawn checkmate coming in. Nikita with Hugo this time won't survive. I think there is no way that he is surviving this. Like in this position, even if you ask what's the best move for white to defend the rook and queen over here, but you can see इसके आगे there is no entry मतलब सेक्योरिटी सो हाई सागर ओवर योर जस्ट नो एंट्री क्रेजी है आल्सो अमृता ये बिशप को तो अवार्ड दे दो भाई यहाँ पे अटैक भी कर रहा है और डिफेंड भी कर रहा है इट्स लाइक दिस ओवरवर्किंग पीस एंड निकिता बिट्टू के पास 45 सेकंड्स 44 43 42 41 इट्स गोइंग डाउन ऑन द क्लॉक थैंक यू अन The way in which Nikita is just, you know, kind of pulling his cheeks. He's like, "Ah, I can't find a move." Prag ne puri tarah se gher liya mera king ko.

Prag is not at all, you know, looking here and there. देख रहा है भाई उसको पता है वो जीत रहा है। नहीं but even when you're winning generally you're looking very much here and there.

Knight f3, Amruta. What the hell is that move? Knight g5. Knight f3. You could see Prag stopping there in his tracks and saying that I don't understand this, Nikita. I can take, take, take. Okay, you can sacrifice your rook for one check, but after king h8, where's your next check? Meanwhile, now my bullets will start to flow. Oops, sorry, don't play queen b4. But maybe just check and the other rook is a mate.

Wow! No defense, yeah? No defense.

And Nihal Sarin is pushing. Let's go there because this, by the way, Arjun should hold this. He has to do that. Gukesh better clearly. He did not go for Amruta this sacrifice idea which was knight takes e six. He thought it's too complex. He went bishop f four, bishop takes c five. He is better.

And Nihal Sarin, and Nihal's ten moves to be made.

हमने तो निहाल सरीन ने क्वीन को लाया, which was not a good move. Opponent should have played knight e three, but he went.

But knight e three को a five was hanging, no?

Yes, but there could have been potential attack.

Oh, knight g four now, because your f six is hanging and d four you can't move the bishop. But there's a check. Come on, knight e three was a very difficult move for forty seconds. Yes, exactly. Something which is very practical.

A six, he took the pawn, and now king h one, and once again Nihal is better. But it's not that kind of better which is very clear. It's that kind of better which can go up and down. Betty, वो क्या था? Betty bought some butter, but the butter was bitter, so she bought some more butter to make the bitter better bitter butter better. Wow! Yes, really impressive. I learnt it, Amruda. I I thought it would it would come in handy in my life, so I learnt it, but did not. But today. But all these years, twelve thousand people के सामने you can say this tongue twister. Pranav nine says Padmini Rao made a very informative video on her channel. Guys, do check out Padmini Rao's channel. She has great videos and also is streaming this Olympiad live.

Rizmaster Sagar, क्या बात है सागर? भाई OP in the chat. Damn Sagar!

अरे भाई, ये talent के लिए इतना देर से चिल्ला के analyse My jokes are clearly better than the tongue twister talent. No, true. And Amrita, while Prag is thinking, let's change the boards because women may we can see. Humpy is winning. Yeah, Humpy is clearly better. Okay, clearly she took the pawn check and she's a pawn up here. She had a much better position, but she traded the rooks to take away certain chances of attack. And I think Humpy will be able to do it. Let's go, Humpy! Meanwhile, Elizabeth Bates versus Vaishali has managed to trade queens. Vaishali ने somehow time pressure से तो बाहर निकल जाएगी वो। She will handle this.

Okay, so Vaishali will manage. Divya was winning and she's still winning. That's a good news.

मतलब Divya Deshmukh play पूरा attack ये side से किया है। Like I thought she will get in somewhere on the king side, but she's made inroads on the queen side.

Very interesting play actually, because her king could like looks weak for now, but somehow white pieces are not able to.

And Prague has taken on c2 with the bishop.

Okay, two moves, maybe three moves, resignation I'm expecting, Sagar.

Maybe now, now is the time. Or he, oh!

Prag OP in the chat. The moment we were waiting for. So, how would you just end it on a hyper note for Prags?

Well, I can just say, guys, that Pragnananda really once he got an advantage, he did not let it go in any way possible, and he has led from the top. Being board number one of India, he said, "I will make sure that Indian team does well," and he's led with a victory. And now the other people will feel so much energy.

Absolutely, because a win on the top board first of all means a lot. That too with the black pieces, which means that others are going to just फटाफट फटाफट एक से एक गेम खत्म होने वाला है, guys.

And he also finished this game pretty quickly in like three three hours or so. So really amazing play by Prag. पर गेम भी क्या सुंदर है। Fire fire game by fire. Too much fire on Pragnananda. Adams versus Arjun looks equal. Meanwhile, Amruta.

Yeah, Niall's game I think right now is the critical one for the time pressure situations. Knight e3 has been found by Luke Maxane who is threatening knight g4 here. But I I I don't find it like a worry at all.

I think it's a good idea for us to zoom in on the Nihal board. क्या लगता है? जो बोले सो निहाल.

Let's go. Okay, first of all, guys, Nihal is a pawn up here. If you just count the number of pawns, he's a pawn up. But there were double pawns on the open a-file, so they are slightly. And white is getting all his pieces to the queenside. So Nihal against attack is going to be starting. He has to be slightly careful. Rook is also advantage. Yeah, so at this point, the roundup for all those who are joining: Prag has won an amazing game against Nikita Vitego. Arjun's game has ended in a draw, by the way. Draw. They agreed for a draw.

No way! So soon? That's actually good news because I thought Arjun was in a bit of pickle. He managed it. You can see Arjun in the distance there.

Yep, yep, he just finished. See, transition. So Arjun's game ended in a draw.

Mukesh is better and Nihal is निहाल वाज़ बेटर। All eyes on निहाल सरीन नाउ गाइस, because we will we would love for him to play his best chess today.

No pressure निहाल। Yeah, you one says अमृता if you notice the amount of black wins Prague is getting this year, especially with the French opening is crazy. I know I completely agree and someone also had mentioned that Nikita in fact book on French because with the white black pieces because he's a French expert. Yeah and then Prague Beating him in friend just shows that how good he was today.

Guys, Nihal Sarin and Gukesh, if they manage to convert today, they both could actually manage to get India a 4-3.5-0 win, which would be really amazing for our game points. But Nihal Sarin, I feel Amruta is feeling the pressure. You Can see Arjun waiting there, Prag waiting there, Shrinath waiting there. They all want Nihal to do well. You know, it's amazing.

By the way, oh, we have cool Venu Bhopal who has super chatted twenty five dollars. Says hi, Sagar, Amrita, and Harshit. You might remember me. I was the guy who arranged the food during Checkmate USA last year. We were standing in the parking lot to have our lunch, enjoying the coverage. Keeping up, keep up the good work. Absolutely, Venu Bhopal. Remember you? Remember that lunch in the car?

Like in your दिखी में वो रख के we all were eating so thank you so much guys this support which team India has from all of you it is not a virtual support it actually converts into tangible support through your wishes but also when we meet you you are there for us like in every country here also Abruta there were couple of local people who is here by the way they actually are helping us with the food So by the way, Nihal has made a move.

Okay, it's yet to be updated.

I think Nihal may have snatched the pawn here or not.

12,000 people are waiting for Nihal's move, man.

Top 2 boards have just finished right now. Nihal Sarin's move I don't think has happened. Oh, Nihal hasn't played yet, Amrut. He is taking unusually long. He's down to three minutes.

Oh man, you know it's under time pressure and the position is complex. Other spectrum.

Yes, last time in Newsberg he played too quickly. Here he is taking a bit too much of time.

It's very natural, no? For that to happen because this is exactly the imprint of the earlier game in your mind.

This is what happens, Abruta. When lot of people tell, oh you should have thought, you should have thought. Next time you overthink. That's why in chess it's very dangerous to give an advice to a player. A player has to figure out that their own. Do not unnecessarily give advice or play fast, play slow. They go to the other end sometimes. And Himanshu Singh says, Sagar bhai, I followed your channel since COVID I've started chess, reached 1400. Let's go! But then burnt out. I want to restart. How can intermediate players like me improve at this stage? So we are going to make some very good courses on Chess Ranga which will be very affordable. So that is one way. But as of now, I would highly recommend you to choose one tournament to play over the board to reignite your love for chess. And he went knight b3. He went knight b3. Knight b3? Yeah, he's played knight b3. He wants to go here. I think, I think Luke will go knight g4.

Okay, no, but what is black side here? Knight d2 for knight f6. 6 check, rook f6, and then rook is done.

By the way, guys, you can see on the bottom Lara Schulz is completely winning against Savita Shri. That's bad news for Team India. I think so. Meanwhile, Meanwhile, Luke McShane has made a move. He didn't go Knight g4, Amruta. He played something else, and that too he played with 3 seconds. He played Rook e2 to defend here. Can the tricky Nihal create something here?

He's called for Knight g4 again.

Chess is so tough, you know, you start to feel the ghosts which haunted you come actually Right in front of you again, and Nihal has a chance now to draw the game with Knight d4, Knight b3. But I don't think—by the way, Gukesh has made a mistake. No way!

But he's not losing or something.

Don't believe that. Oh, but it's equalized. Oh my God! This match. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. This is because Gukesh's edge looked like it cannot really change much. Wow, guys! Gukesh, by the way, now some insane threats like knight h four with rook f four attack here mate here. I don't think Gukesh should be careless here. Meanwhile, Nihal also right now India is in the driver's seat. Even if they get two draws, we win the match. But the pressure is too high.

While Uzbekistan is beating China three one. Okay.

Well, because because Nodirbek Abdusattarov is winning and Nodirbek Yakubov. Is winning against Yu Yangi, Yakuboyev. Two northern backs doing it in style. And I think USA will also beat Armenia because a wonder Liang on board four is doing an incredible job.

By the way, Nihal Sarin down to one minute. Play that's the move. What's your guess? One minute.

I think he may take a draw, Amruta, because I think that's the smartest thing to do. He is right now feeling a bit nervous.

You would see that earlier, you would see that Gukesh was better.

Oh, he played Bishop takes d4. Bishop d4, he played Bishop d4. Is that a best move? There's a very famous quote by, uh, someone like him, but he missed Knight c2. I was— what do you think, Abruta? Knight c2 attacks this and this, and then you have to give up that bishop. But it's very difficult to play Knight c2 because you are always thinking about moving forward. No, he played Knight g4. He played Knight g4. And now very important to go back, not take the bishop on f2. I think, Amruta, if you take here, then rook takes, and suddenly white is the one who's pressing somehow.

Knight d2.

Because of Queen g6 and take and f5, f6. These are the points here. Nihal comes back. Good move, good move, Nihal Sarin, fighting hard. We are on move 34. Six more moves to make, guys. In less than a minute for both sides, the pressure is mounting. Nihal and Mukesh just make a draw. Well, I don't know, guys.

If it's oh yeah, they can make a draw also. No, and we are one.

But Abruta, why will England take a draw? They need to win the match. They will not draw two games. They will fight. And Luke McShane has played what move? Rook f e one. Maybe he played his move quickly. Putting pressure on Nihal. Yes, good move. Only move for Nihal to survive. Rook f5. Amruta, if you play bishop f2, rook e6, game over.

Finito. Some sacrifice. Like the earlier. Finds it.

Finds it. Let's go, Nihal. Rook f5. Good move, Nihal. Actually right now delivering under pressure.

Hopefully queen h4. Kailash, अगर तो queen h4.

Queen h4 is fine, Amruta. I think that's the best move because once again, once again, Queen H. No, let's not play it because right now you can see Luke McShane has 40 seconds on the clock. He goes Queen H3, the best move, the best move played. Oh, I can't handle this, guys.

People have to bring the knight on B3 back, right? मतलब takes.

By the way guys, there is increment. There is increment of 30 seconds.

Again, is this a wrong move, Sagar? Because now also if you take, there is Rook e6. Game over.

Game over. So basically, just to show you, just to show you, Rook e6, Queen c5, Knight takes h6, gh6, Rook g6, and a mate is happening here and here. So clearly you can't do that.

How do you defend Rook e6?

You have to be very careful. You have to go h5 now, or come Queen g6 so that Rook e6, you go Queen h5.

That's a bit tough. h5 might be easier at least.

But Nihal has 42 seconds. He needs to make a move. Gukesh is already going worse.

Oh my God, he's down to 10 seconds.

Gukesh, Gukesh down to 10 seconds.

G takes H four. Now Rook takes F four. Okay, draw is good. I mean, not good for Gokesh. Absolutely for his rating.

No, for India it's good. For India it's good. Sorry guys. Going back to Nihal's game. He found H five. Another good move played by Nihal Sarin. He is taking his time. He's finding the moves. If Rook E six now, that would be a huge blunder because of H G four hits the queen. So he needs to play ninety-three.

Divya has won the game and that's what is the update over here. Amazing, amazing. Divya OP हो जाए chat में guys.

Divya Deshmukh का game भी देखो.

Oh, Kavita is back. Wow! Zero point seven ही है. Nice. वो इशारी zero point zero. Let's go, let's go.

Okay, ninety-five. A good move played by forty seconds for the takes on f two.

रुक टेक्स्ट है कि रुकी सिक्स वाज़ नॉट देयर, तो ये चल गए। नाइट डी फोर कैन यू ब्रिंग योर नाइट बैक? इट्स द बेस्ट मूव अब्रुता, इट्स द बेस्ट मूव। एंड आल्सो स्टॉप द रुक फ्रॉम गोइंग तू ई टू, ह फाइव इज़ डिफेंडेड, देर इज़ नो जी फोर। ओह, अगेन आई लाइक निहाल की प What is he doing?

They are on move 38 as well. I think Gukesh has managed to.

This will be. In fact, I like for white can even trick because of the C5 pawn. I think white has some chances to trick in the if it goes beyond 40 moves and a rook endgame because he's pawn up.

Abhuta Gukesh is a pawn up. Although his pawns are doubled, he has an extra pawn. And B four is hanging. Okay, let's go to Nihal's game right now because Queen G six best move. King F one, King H one. A question to Gookie.

King H one, F three. Oh, you want to play? No, no, no. Queen B one mate. Oh God! No, no, no. G four.

It's not a mate, Amruta. It's winning for white. It could be. It could be very interesting. Meanwhile, Nihal Sarin going back to the board. After he goes knight f3, Nihal can capture, but it will kind of equalize the position.

Can I go queen c5 here? But I'm very scared of knight d4, queen d4, rook e2.

Oh, maybe opponent played f3. Oh, but he went— ah, here is the problem. He went king f1. Now rook g4, queen b1 is mate. There is no rook coming back. So he had to— maybe now he has to be super careful. Not two.

Queen d five checking it.

Okay. Last move. What's the move? Last move before time trouble finishes for Gukesh. This is the forty eighth move. Maybe queen c four.

Can I not take on b four? Queen d two. No, I can't take.

He did make a move. He did make a move and he gets up from the chair. But what move?

It's not a blunder because that's thirty ninth and forty eighth move. That's what happens.

Good move. Finds the best move. And Amruta, Daniel Howard, because it's the 40th move, only move for him is Rook c8.

No way.

He find— he'll find it.

No way.

He'll find— oh, he may go for a check. He may go for a check, but then Mukesh is winning totally, guys. 40th move, 40th move.

Or not? What do you think, chat? Let's ask the Black to play, guys.

Great move by Gukesh. Get some.

This is insane. King f1, king e1 is what? Like I cannot imagine he managed. Oh, he blunders king h8. Exactly.

Now, now Gukesh is better. King d2 and he's better.

We'll come back to this game.

Let's head over to Nihal. Gukesh can win this now. Meanwhile, knight d4 taken. Whoa, what a move by By Luke McShane, because rook is hanging on e1. He's given up an exchange and he's asking Nihal to make an assessment in few seconds.

No, I will not even try to go for queen e1. I'll just take queen d4, to be very honest.

Queen e1, king, rook f1, and then take on f5 was happening. That's the reason why Nihal takes here, and we are past move 40 in both the games.

Absolute cinema. I'm crying, guys. Completely agree. It was so stressed. I mean, how will you compare it with? What will you compare it, Sagar? I'll compare it with you know red signal था, orange signal है and I'm going और बीच में suddenly बहुत सारे cars आ रहे हैं और मैं सुश करके fraction of seconds है but I must say that we've kind of come out of this situation a bit, uh, unscathed.

Because on board 3, Nihal is fine, it's equal. And on board 2— board 4, uh, Gukesh has gotten a winning position. I wonder if Gukesh realizes it, because we can go through— he comes back, he's opening his bottle of water.

No, I think he never thought he's in a bad position. I think I always thought is better, and over here with that one extra pawn which you keep, you know, protecting it, you kind of take care of it like your pet in general, and it's just going to go ahead now. Yeah, like King d two, Kela, and Abhiruksi eight. Can you show what the difference is, Sagar?

Well, I want to go to the women's board because we've been analyzing this for a long time. Let's Let's go to the women's board and see. Meanwhile, Divya Deshmukh has won the game. So if we just go here, we see, uh, and Vaishali's just gotten up. She cannot lose this, but she can surely win this.

No, no, but the h-pawn is also a passer. You have to be careful. G five, G four ideas are there.

औरित्रो गोस सुपरचैट्स हम्पीज़ गेम। Let's go हम्पी। By the way, oh wow! Completely win a gear after move forty.

सबके move forty एक साथ आ गया ब्रुता। Actually I would love to see how हम्पी converted till here.

Yeah we saw ब्रुता he she actually won the pawn on B four. By firstly, what she did is she said this is a weak pawn. Let me gang up on it. So she went here, then here, then she won the pawn. Opponent should have played rook c. This was fine, and everything looked okay. But this was Not a good move, and suddenly Hafiq traded rooks, and with one rook only, these two pawns have become tremendously dangerous.

And I love how the knight on e six has managed to be like saving everything. By the way, we have a big news that Uzbek have won against China with the score of three one. Really? And Is it over?

Yeah. What finished all games finished? I mean, I am trusting the chat if chat is yes guys you are right. Nordirbek Abdusattorov won against Ding Liren. Sindarov Wei ended in a draw. Yu Yangyi lost Nordirbek Yakubov. Two defeats to Chinese team. That's just crazy. Very impressive.

With V, survived such an opening against Sindaro and also managed to draw. I mean, you know, very few would have managed to do that. Most of the people with white would have lost. Yeah, that is amazing.

That's just brilliant, actually. What?

Oh, our internet is gone, Sagar. I don't know if the guys are able to hear. एक बार मैं वो वाला डालूँ। Maybe. Yep. आ गया, आ गया। We are back. There was a bit of lag, but we are back here. Back here.

No, there was no lag on the stream, but there was.

Okay, women's का we were seeing Hampi का देखा। सभी तक क्या है? We have to see. By the way, leeches पे there are so many people.

Your network has sent too many requests. Oh, really? Maybe too many people are watching this.

Which is actually it's a good problem. So it's a problem, but it's because of a good reason that lot of people are going to. Which is nice. So many times it happens, guys, in life also. There is a problem, but we don't realize that it is a good problem. Yeah, well, like Sagar, like how I am in your life. A good problem. Sagar is right now very, very curious about how to get the board. Can Armenia and USA stop Uzbekistan? I think definitely. Like USA is, uh, you know, a team which has won gold in Olympiads, and definitely they can stop Uzbekistan. Armenia, without too strong people, if they are still reaching that, you know, top 4, then I would say even they have that chance.

They are quite Oh, Amruta, there is a big news coming in, which is that Gukesh actually managed to find the best move with the position. Can you believe it? He found King d2. Yeah, and that too, he found it like super quick. Look at this. Yeah. By the way, guys, we have a very interesting member joining us. You can, well, you can come this side. Put the camera. No, it's fine. There is enough space. We have Pavel Dworkovic joining us. If you can come a little bit closer. Yes, and he is right now. He's here with us, Pavel. Thank you so much for joining in. Thank you very much. And you know, he's here at the FIDE shop. You are doing a lot of coverage as well. Yes. But one thing that everyone was curious to know is what happened to Harshit yesterday.

Can you leak the story?

Like, you know, because we were waiting for you to join before, but Harshit today was so tired that he left. Okay, so everyone knows that was the Bermuda party, right?

Yes.

Right.

And I was with him there, and he was so relaxed. He was dancing, he was partying. Yeah. Then he comes to me, he asks me, hey, Pasha, do you know— and he shows me, points at some girl. Yeah.

Do you know this girl?

Like, no idea.

Wow, what a story, right? Yes, I had no idea who she is.

Oh, I was right. Maybe he got punched. Okay, go on.

So, uh, he tells me, uh, really like her, I want to approach her. I was like, please do, come on, it's a party, everyone is here.

And then, uh, I got tired, I left.

The next morning I came, we had a football game, we had the 16 And Harshit was playing with Team Asia and he comes and I see he has blood on his nose. He has blood on his nose and I asked him, Harshit, what happened?

I left you for like one night and you have the—

you have bloody nose.

What happened?

He was like, Yeah, something got wrong.

I approached her, we talked, but then I Maybe I was too drunk, and apparently, yeah, he got punched in the nose.

Yeah, okay, now I will say that this is not true because, you know, uh—

Is it true? No, it's not true.

Oh, okay.

Well, no, but the story about the football match is true. So he comes to the football match and, uh, we are about to start playing and we're just practicing.

Robot sports.

Now we're just practicing before the game starts, and we're playing, uh, so you know this game when you have to play and not to let the ball hit the floor, so you play in the air with your knees, with your feet, with your head, with your shoulders and everything.

And I was kicking the ball very high up, and there were like 7 people like playing this same game in the street. circle.

And, uh, one guy, uh, he's like, I don't know, almost 2 meters high.

Yes.

2 meters tall. And he goes for the ball. For some reason, Harshit also goes for the ball, but Harshit is like, I don't know, 170. So he's like twice, twice the height of that guy. And he goes under him to like to get the ball on his chest, like professionally, to like, uh, get the ball on chest and then play one more touch. And then this German guy, he jumps to play with the And he just knocks Harshit on his nose with an elbow. It was crazy. It was just crazy. It was it was all in the air, and then I just see Harshit lying on the grass, and he is like holding his nose like what happened? And he has blood here. Guys, first story or second? Which one do you like? Which one do you like more? Tell me which one do you like more. Both stories were narrated so well by by Pavel here. Uh, wait, wait, wait, wait.

He did he fell unconscious or no? No, no, no.

He was just he just fell because he was hidden. He was in the air, but he was yeah, he was hidden. Entire chat is saying first. First story. There is no no one who likes the second story. But who is the German guy? Like, uh, I don't know exactly, but I think he's not Pascal. I think I think, but it's maybe just a rumor. That he works for Chess Base.

Oh my God! He works for Chess Base.

Maybe we'll find out. He's a runner, marathon runner also. We'll figure out. But amazing stories here, Pavel. Thank you so much for sharing it. And also, guys, we have to say it out that the second story is the true one, although we would have loved for the first one to be true. I would love the first story to happen one time with him. For now, only football.

And also, um, while you were here, many people started telling that Arjun Tendulkar— what? So we have a very famous cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin is very famous. Uh, he's like Magnus Carlsen. Okay, okay. And his son, whose name is Arjun, you and him look very similar. We look very similar. I will look him up, or you will show me later. So you can check it out.

Okay, guys, thank you for having me.

How's the feed store going on? It's very successful.

Very successful. Yes, guys, the feed store is like always active. Every day things are moving so quickly. I don't know where— how are you restocking things? Do you know? Do you want to know the real story or the second story?

Okay, we have to get him more over here always to share 2 stories.

This or that, that's the nice one. And then you have to pick which one is more truthful, and then we will tell you which one is the right one. Okay, sure, perfect. Okay, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Bye-bye, guys. That was Pavel Dorkovich joining us, a very energetic character, very energetic personality in the world of chess.

Very kind, very helpful, like everywhere we have been.

And just I think few of you are saying he looks like Arjun Tendulkar, son of Sachin, but he's actually son of Arkady Dworkovich, uh, and he's also very, very, uh, much involved in chess. Uh, he tries to do many different things, so it's very nice to see him.

Life with Coffee says first story is like Kahuna Pyaar, second one is like Guzaarish.

That was very funny. Oh, by the way, guys, both the English players are taking their time after Gukesh played King d2. Daniel Howard Fernandez is thinking now. And what about Nihal Sarin? Nihal Sarin also, his opponent thought for very long. I think— no, split Queen f1 with 21 minutes. You can see this view, Amrita. This is a much Much nicer view here.

We have Vincent over there who's watching the games. And yeah, now the hall is walking. You know, that is the black glass doors you see.

Yeah.

That's the only place from where spectators can enter, and the whole central area Spectators, uh, like anybody else cannot access it from the tournament hall. And if you have the ticket, you can, um, you're allowed to have the mobile and shoot, but it's very difficult because a lot of people keep coming in between, uh, that way. But at least that's something.

By the way, we see Humpty here totally focused against Her opponent here, Dinara Wagner.

I think it's incredible how Hampi Hampi managed to convert this slow and steady. Yeah, great understanding. And always with the black pieces when you're winning, it's a big relief. Oh, Jog again! Not super chatted, contributed to help chess towards growing chess in India and ₹1,001. And he does it like every day.

Yeah, thank you, Jog. And also Raghu Krishna. Thank you for becoming believer of Indian chess. Rian Sharma also contributed 26 minutes ago, and Ram Mohan Kale contributed 37 minutes ago, and Ajay Deshpande. So we already had five contributors today. Thank you all for contributing on helpchess.org and supporting the young talents of Indian chess.

साकार चेस से पर नहीं मिलेगा सहारा। अब जीत रही है एमपी। आशीष से सचिन तेंदुलकर इस मैग्नेस काल्सन ऑफ़ क्रिकेट इसी बात पे उनको एक लाइव स्ट्रीम पे बुला लो। अरे, पी कुड रीच सचिन एंड इनवाइट हिम फॉर लाइव स्ट्रीम। इट वुड बी अमेजिंग इनफैक्ट, बट आई हैव हॉर्ड दैट हिज चिल्ड्रन वर लर्निंग चेस मैं देवर चिल्ला रही हूँ। You can totally believe। सागर, I think you must be really hungry कुछ भी नहीं खाया है तो मैं देख के आती हूँ तुम्हारे लिए कुछ। नहीं मैं देख के आता हूँ। तुम करो। मैं देख के आती हूँ। मैं लेके आता हूँ। तुम्हें पता नहीं है ना मीडिया रूम में?

तुम बताओ। ठीक है। तो मैं इधर कमेंटिंग करूँगा No, you can bring something, but come back quickly, Amruta, because we will be all missing you. By the way, this was given to us by our friend from Nepal, Mona Lisa. She got you this very nice Himalayan Chess Academy chai, exclusive.

Mona Lisa always remembers, which is very nice. And of course, last time she had given me this red thing which I always wear. Very sweet of you. How are our neighbors doing?

Nepal? Well, Gukesh right now is playing here. His position after King d2 is better. Guys, if you were in Gukesh's shoes right now, what is the move that you would play? Because the queen is active. Anil K says, can we find out Uzbekistan's and India's next opponent in open section after round 7? Well, it depends on which team wins today. If USA wins, I'm pretty sure USA will play Uzbekistan. But if Armenia wins, Armenia will become their opponents. It's a tough call actually. But I think USA today is striking thanks to a wonder Liang. I love Rookie Seven Anu Dravid, Samhita P. कोडेट श्वेता शर्मा दक्ष ग्रेवाल रुक ई सेवन विद द आइडिया ऑफ़ चेकमेट हैप्पीनिंग येर यू गो क्वीन जी सिक्स आई थिंक यू डोंट वांट टू ट्रेड क्वीन्स मोमेंट यू ट्रेड क्वीन्स इट्स अ लॉस्ट रुक एंड गेम यू नो टू मेनी पॉन्स सो यू गो क्वीन जी सिक्स एंड नाउ आई थिंक देयर आर म I would push c6 so that if you take, I checkmate you. c7 coming up. Uh, b3 could be an idea to give you a check, maybe, but king comes up. I think this position still has some hopes for, uh, black, but not too many, not too many. I think Indians have done well today after the setback they faced yesterday, uh, day before. I think it's quite likely that Gukesh will be able to strike today. I think that is a very likely result. And then if Nihal somehow magically is also able to win— the reason why I'm So hellbent on Nihal also doing well today is because I feel like it might really help with the game points. Can we get Divya in panel? Oh yes, actually yeah. Where is Divya? You know last year because our commentary booth was a little bit on the side, Divya would join us. Us many times, but this time I think Divya hasn't really joined us in the commentary. But we have a very special guest joining us. Yeah, uh, we have I Am Pratamesh Mokal here joining us. Pratamesh, your team finished today. Yes. How was the— how was the match for Cayman Islands? Uh, it was a tough one today. As usual for all the top 6 rounds, in the 7th round also we played a higher opponent. Uh, we played, uh, Guatemala, who had a lot of higher-rated players than us, and we lost 3-1 today. Were there 2 draws? No, 1 win. We had both 2, Alia, who won the game. Zara, Anvita, and Abby, they lost. Okay, great learnings for the teams here. And meanwhile, were you following Team India in the playing hall? Yes, of course. What did you feel about the atmosphere and today Indian teams in both open and women? I remember seeing the positions. The women team seemed to be dominating, right? Am I right? Yeah, actually the thing is Humpy is on her way to victory here. Yeah, so I saw the position quite early in the middle game and, uh, it seemed like a big plus. I thought that a lot of them had good positions except the board 4. I wasn't sure if that was equal. In fact, you are right, board 4 was in huge trouble. That is Savita Shree. She was at some point close to lost. But she fought back, and that has been one of the big things about Savita— always fighting hard. And she made a comeback, and right now I think with the good chances to hold this match, this game. Yes, so equal pawns. Yeah, I saw the position when her opponent had just played f6, and when f6 was played It looked like a bit dicey. I don't know how it went, but that was a position. By the way, very interesting move knight g four because it not only threatens a fork but also threatens mate, and not so easy to deal with this. Yeah, probably giving a check. Yeah, rook check, king f five, and maybe then h three. And Savita still has a lot of work to do because she could lose a pawn with knight e three. The king is active, the rook is active, but she should be able to hold this. How's board two? Board three? Board two, Vaishali. I think a complicated endgame, rook endgame, very difficult to say. But I tell you the position that I. In the middle game where Vaishali had just played c4 when the knight was on g5, and she's just played c4. That's the position I saw. I thought there might be slight chances for her to get something because of the weaknesses in the dark squares around the black king, but the pieces are very few, right? So maybe holdable. She did manage to create something, but I think she had very little time on the clock. So the fact that she managed to make it to move forty without blundering was a good result here. And in the end, Elizabeth had to try. I think her team was not doing well, and this is how we reached here.

So this looks equal.

One game has been won. Divya won, right? Divya won. Humpy against Dinara Wagner. Humpy is completely crushing. All these pawns are weak. So you got two wins and possibly two draws. Yeah, if I mean Humpees draw and Savita has to hold this somehow. He has to win. Savita draw and Vaishali. Sorry, Vaishali has to draw and Savita has to draw. But maybe not so simple. Yeah, this endgame to hold. I mean, there will be a fight. Meanwhile, in the open, queenside pawns are valued more, right? So in the endgame, black has the queenside passed pawn possibility, so black has slightly better chances. But rook knight versus rook is a draw. Maybe that would be coming up. So just give up your knight for a few pawns. Yeah, maybe this is a better defensive move because After King f5, h3, there's no Knight e3. Ah, and the rook is supporting the b3 pawn, keeping control of the third rank, right? Just the g1 knight has now got to come into the game. Yeah, and now just Knight f3, and maybe Savita will solve all her problems. So Rook g3 might be an important move to play here, not Rook d6, which also is fine. Uh, So women's team likely to get a 3-1 victory if we are, you know, uh, lucky. But otherwise 2.5, 1.5, so that they will keep moving upwards. Meanwhile, the open team right now with, uh, Gukesh, if you look at this position, it seems like he should be able to win this.

Good.

So I had seen Gukesh's position like Yeah, when, when he went Knight b3, Knight c5, I thought so. I saw when the rook was on c1, his knight was on d2, and I expected that sooner or later he'll be going Knight b3, Knight c5, and looked like a very nice plus to me. Yeah, he, he had a very good plus, but in time pressure, uh, he made some errors and the game actually became very intense at this point. When we were close to move forty, now actually black managed to create this counterplay. Somehow Gukesh got this, and on fortyth move his opponent had to find the only move rook c eight, which was very tough, and played king h eight, and Gukesh somehow found king d two the winning move on forty one. He just finds this kind of. He's too good, and now it seems like he's completely in control.

Cheese, so it's hot and it's veg mil gaya finally. Cheese मत कर, prosa के साथ। I confirmed it's vegetarian hundred percent.

All में इतना सब taste लगा हुआ है। So Gokesh is in control. What about the other boards?

Thanks for giving me this update.

Yeah, so I'm able to get it from you. From the position I saw, Nihal was actually having a plus on time, not the position. Yeah, but somehow Nihal couldn't Convert that into anything tangible, and right now somehow you know my sense says that Nihal is pushing because he's pawn up. Although the pawns are a bit loose, is he's pushing H four? But I'm not sure if it is enough. Maybe he is going to wait and try for tricks if they land in time trouble. Possibly. But so I think you might know Luke McShane well. Yeah, like or have you ever met him? Not really met him, but grown up seeing his games around in the age group.

You went to under sixteen Olympiad and there is a photo of you. Yeah. Luke McShane. Ah, you forgot about Harry.

Onian is there.

Harry, you, Luke McShane was also there.

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. Now that you bring it up. Yes, he was very talented. Yes, just now I met David Smirnov. He's with his kids and these kids are taking autographs of some players, strong players, and he says, I'm from Australia. I read his name, David Smirnov. Hey, aren't you a GM? Aren't you a grandmaster? So he said, yes. Haven't you played in India? He said, yes, World Junior, isn't it? Oh, so you played? Wow. And David Smirnoff is very well known now, not just for chess but also his research in chess. He has written some good books, so very well known. Really nice. I was really happy to see him there with his kids. He says, now, right now, I'm only a chess parent and my kids are taking autographs of players. Did you also meet Pumaresh? No, I'm yet to meet him, but I'll meet him soon. He's here. Okay, so what I see is Prague 1, right? Right. Oh wow! Prags game, Pratamesh. We have to show you.

Sagar bhai, what are you eating? Share it with us, says Ox.

Guys, cheese croissant. पहली बार खा रहा हूँ. Okay. This game we have to show Pratamesh because the way he played is just too good. I saw this opening position.

Sorry, I have podi chutney at home. Next time I will bring podi chutney. Cheese paratha with podi chutney.

Knight actually, you know, this one we were all thinking a five bishop a six, but Prag's idea is so much better. Knight a five knight c four. And then a five a four. And he did it so well. So a4, bishop a6, rook fc8. Okay, let me tell you, I saw this position somewhere around here. He was exchange up, he had taken ab2, and his opponent played rook h4. This is the position I saw, and for a moment I was a bit worried because I couldn't calculate everything that time. I was seeing all the 4 games and that to move around, but, uh, I was just for a moment checking what is happening with rook g4, and I realized That when Prag played Rook a b eight, this is the position I saw. I realized that he has seen that Rook g four he can allow Rook g seven, go King h eight. Then I was checking if Knight g five can come, Rook h seven can come, and I still felt a little bit of worry. But I think Prag genius must have calculated it all. Look at look at how he calculated Rook g four. Wow! Because number one. तो हंपी वाज़ विनिंग, हंपी वन, और दिस इज़ गुड न्यूज़ फॉर अस बिकॉज़ हंपी मैनेजेस टू गेट द बेटर ऑफ़ दिनारा वैगनर। अमेजिंग प्ले बाय हंपी दैट मेक्स इंडिया लीड 2-0 इन द विमेन सेक्शन, विच इज़ अ ग्रेट, ओनली हाफ पॉइंट नीडेड। वैशाली इज़ ड्राइंग द गेम एंड सविता इज़ ओ वैशाली का 15 मिनट है सविता पाउंड रुक जीती नो नो शील्ड बैलेंस नहीं है आई मीन जी सिक्स ह पा ह फोर तो अश्लील टाइम इज़ लेस लिटिल बिट ऑफ़ केयर सो रवि सविता फ्रॉम रुक जी थ्री राइट या जो वी आर डिस्कसिंग शी पाउंड इट एंड आई थिंक Yes, Sam says, wow, both I am Gija and Salah in one. Guys, also Prathamesh is not just a very good player, he, he plays couple of tournaments every year, but he's a very good coach. He's actually training many young Indian talents. In fact, the current Under-9 girls champion is his student, uh, and also She went on to win Commonwealth, right? Yeah, she won the Commonwealth under eight, national under nine. Pritika Nandi, Asian under eight. Under eight. So very talented girl, and Pratamesh is training many youngsters and also now is training the team of Cayman Islands. So is amazing to see him developing into one of the top trainers in the country. Good point.

Good brother also.

Okay, shall we see Prat's game again? You're telling me something about it. Yeah, so we looked till here. Bishop d3 was amazing. It's like a textbook example. And now here everyone got a bit worried because somehow, uh, Vitugo covered the b1 square. So take, take. Take does not work now. So he played rook c three. You can't take mate, and now threatening bishop c two and queen. Wow! He took king h eight. Queen has to move, and now rook c eight again. You can't take. I would expect queen g five, right? How did he go queen g four? Queen g five for trying queen h six. But I think same idea. And if you play Queen h6, then maybe Rook c2 because the bishop controls. And he played Rook bc8, Knight to f3, and after Bishop c2, he resigned the game. I think Knight Knight c2, Rook c2, and it's over.

Great win.

Actually, Prague's victory really boosted India's confidence.

Let's go to Guppi's board and somebody said Prathamish if you can do some Marathi comment. Oh, maybe you can. Maybe we all can do. Prathamish can do Marathi comment. His Marathi is very nice.

No, Sagar's Marathi is also good.

Sagar's Marathi.

We can we can round up this position with Marathi. अतर मी अससांगुशक्तो की गुकेश आता पूर्ण हमला करतो है ओपोनेंट पर, ओपोनेंट का ही हलुशकत ना ही थी अच्छे पीसे सगे जाम जाले थे। देखो, देखो एक बार सागर नहीं सांगे तो एक गुप्तेश्वर पूर्ण बने और कंट्रोल आएगा पोजीशन में। ओह, ओह पूर्ण कंट्रोल I mean full control। इंजन doesn't understand. Sometimes I have a maybe थोड़ी ज़्यादा थोड़ी ज़्यादा accurate.

What's the problem?

Well, the problem is that check. This is the key move.

And you cannot take. Let me show this. It's always whenever the king is on last rank, pawn is on sixth rank. Takes takes rook d seven king h seven winning.

Yeah, this is winning. But the problem is that here there is queen. A5 with the idea of b3, and suddenly the game gets complicated. So Queen d8, you can't go Queen d6, you have to go King c2. If you go King e3, all of a sudden Queen d1. Okay, but King c2, not Queen a5, Amruta, because Queen a5 This time my king comes here and stops the pawn.

Okay, the king plays very, very—I mean unusual over here—the way it is used as a piece in the endgame, but with the queens and open board, amazing.

But the problem is b3, and after king takes b3, queen check. One check. Oh my gosh! So many problems. Actually, Gukesh has to navigate now a very complex web. And play a move like king c3, where queen d1 leads to some defense like rook. I don't think he can handle all these moves.

I believe it's very difficult.

Every move to be accurate, you will need time on the clock. Exactly. Which time does he have? It's seven minutes. Not even short.

So once I can go back and here when the queen was on d4, it was doing a very important thing of. What is it doing?

Because Rook d7 looks like a good idea.

Yeah, Rook d7, and even King c2 should be good, right?

King c2, maybe trying to put the king on b3 is what, uh, would have been the best way. It's not easy, guys. It's very complicated, and it's quite possible that Daniel would also go wrong here. He may not find the move Queen d8. He may play something else. Like maybe the most natural move is to try and get active with Queen g4 or h3, trying to do something. I think Queen d8 will be fine. He'll file it, but the next move King c2 and then b3 may not be so easy.

No, but that is his only forcing way to try and get perpetual, right? By the way, Dr. Nitin is saying Pritika Nandi, my friend. Nice.

Yeah, Kritika has a lot of friends in Pune's chess field. Lots of support.

We have Chess Dial Pratamesh newly launched. Ah, yes. And you could at some point have yourself over there. Not necessary you have to accept everything, but it will get to a point where you can be on the waiting list. I mean, people can be on the waiting list and so on.

I saw the site and I saw I think it was really amazing. You can please. I thought the site was very well made, very comprehensive for students to find. And just before the Olympiad, I got a message right about it. So I told that after the Olympiad, I'll be back because I have to collect my students' achievements. See, Ryle became I am, Saloni became I am. But I have to collect their what we call paper clippings or whatever and then post. it and then make a profile properly. So I told that after the Olympiad, I'll have a relook at it.

Awesome, awesome.

So guys, we've created this website called coach.chessbase.in. It's there in the link in the description. It was born from the idea that all of you used to ask, where can I find a good trainer for my kids? Or where can I find a good trainer in my area or online? And so on. So we decided to create a website where coaches can list themselves, but not just list, they can actually— we want to improve it. It's right now like we've launched it, there are features there, people can book sessions and so on, but we want to make it a platform where people can trust, where there can be reviews, where if a coach puts—

okay, you're just saying I registered on JustDial, I'm getting spammed by people, but you have to not give your—

you have to give your academy number or you have to give your No, I don't think that it can get spammed because your details are not public. Only when people pay for the first session is when it's there. By the way, Queen d8 has been played by Daniel. So I think, Keyur, maybe you can just write to us, uh, at, uh, you know, contact@chessbase.in and tell us what is the issue because that will help us to get better. So please do share.

Radeep Kumar is saying, "My my coach is Sir J.M. Bok." क्या बात है? Benjamin Bok. Benjamin Bok है ना?

Going here check. Will Bhukesh find King C2? Very important now to play King to C2 here.

Ten minutes Bhukesh is having. And I mean, for such a check, King c2 is the most natural move, right?

Yeah, because King e3, I think you can quickly see Queen d1 and feel a bit worried.

But I think Mukesh, when he is calculating of King c2 and Queen d6, by the way, he will see the first check because we are so used to check and perpetual. So if this calculation has to go like if King takes b3 At which point do you think he will reject? Like he will say, okay, this is a draw now.

No, but why why why is this a draw? Like it's still what it is. Yeah.

Queen d three will see queen c three, queen b five.

Suddenly king c two and no checks.

Queen ah this is coming.

Queen a four. Queen a four. Well with Bukesh. Oh he by the way he didn't play. No, he played Queen d6. Oh my God! Gukesh's position is equal now. But yes, oh he found. Yeah, he found it immediately. And now Gukesh is no longer winning.

Which means Nihal cannot lose.

Yeah, Nihal I don't think will lose, but it's kind of.

Just to make sure.

I think Nihal is also putting some pressure on the opponent.

Both the kings are weak. Like you know, the side which goes wrong somewhere there is stress on both the kings. I don't know.

I just feel like Nihal's chances look a bit superior here in terms of the activity. But Luke McShane has just made a move. Yeah, let's. Guys, this Olympiad Indian team has been kind of struggling with like converting good positions. You know, apart from Uzbek, everybody. Yeah, I guess that's natural.

Uzbek is playing so well, so well, completely like India in 2024 as everyone has been talking about.

Yeah. Oh, look at 6, good move, good move. You know, somewhere I do feel like this is getting intense, like check, king at 7, and now, and now actually looks more dangerous to black. Yeah, yeah, agreed. I think this, this should be comfortably a draw at least, right? Oh, he does go direct King f3.

Okay, Rook h1 or Rook h3 would be my question. Rook h3 idea, Rook g6, and also keeping an eye on f4. Rook h1 is also But even King at seven is there prophylactic.

Just to give you guys an idea of how it feels to be inside the playing hall, this is the situation. You can see the captain of Indian team, Srinath Narayanan, just calmly sitting there. You need a lot of patience. And king to f3 has been played, and Nihal goes king h7.

We'll definitely read out the message if it was anything negative.

Coincidentally, both games are having queen and rook. Yeah, major piece endgame there, uh, happening. I think somehow Nihal's position looks a little more favorable, but do you think in Gukesh's game, if we go here It is possible for her, for his opponent to go wrong here. I think black needs to be more accurate, right? Suppose he goes king e three right now. I think that's the most natural move. I also felt that move is very interesting. Again, black has to find the only move, and let's put the question to our viewers, guys. What would you play here? Black to play.

Natural for me is B3.

B3 takes. Even if you give a check, I can simply go back. Maybe it's safe, but somehow our chat is able to find—

that is the only way to—

yeah, it's the only Wait, his idea is if I take the pawn on f3, take on b2.

Take on b2.

Not queen h1 check or something, but just take on b2 and create this counterplay with this pawn. So like c6 is already a huge problem. So maybe let's say we go king g2. Yeah, I know it's fine. I can go here. So just King g2, b3, c6, maybe Queen c2, c7, and b2. And this pawn is not going anywhere while this pawn is queening. So this is just an illustrative line to show that Mukesh cannot really— it's no longer a one-sided play.

But It's very hard for black to find these ideas. It is impressive.

He found queen a five. Yeah, he found queen d eight, queen a five. So maybe he also can find queen a one. It's no longer that impossible.

But if he goes rook f eight, suppose very natural king e three go.

Then what is the plan there?

Sorry, rook king rook f eight. Rook f eight. Wait.

Queen d4 or e5, you gain a move attacking the g7 pawn.

The rook has to go back and then you're winning, right?

Why will the rook go back? Oh, he played King e3. King e3 on the board. Mukesh has played it. He has 5 minutes. For Daniel Fernandez, the move is Queen a1. He has 15 minutes to figure it out, and if he plays I believe that then the game could end in a draw because there's too much counterplay.

But Queen e5, if he finds it, is really amazing.

It's a double attack. Look at this. There are very few attacks here and here. Yeah, I think that's, that's going to be played. Yeah, what do you feel? Yeah, I think so. It seems like one can white play Queen e5. Check. Let's check. If you take, there is rook f8. Every time queen f2 and yeah, and if you go up, then I take here and suddenly I have counterplay. So maybe I need to play queen a1. If I go queen d4, there's a check and I lose the rook. Yeah, somehow I cannot control everything. Maybe Queen D two to control this, this, this.

Then Queen H one I will look for, but then C six.

But maybe don't put your queen so much on the corner. Yeah, I don't know.

But what is the move here? B three. Could be.

Even now there is no attack on G seven. So rook is free.

Rook F eight. Yeah, but then I thought C six एक बार आ जाएगा। Queen here, c7.

I think then it makes sense for black to stop c6 itself, right? With Queen a6. Yeah, instead of playing Rook f3. But, but for sure Queen a1 is going to happen here on the board. This game heading towards maybe a very complex equality, but Nihal Sarin Let's see what he's up to, guys. The reason why these games are super critical is also because of the time, because of the game points element in this tournament. Imagine that at some point Uzbekistan does lose and India keeps winning. It all comes down to game points. Yeah.

No, I think just first very important is to end up. Next is I think to end up. Requires both of them to draw because by this time whoever is playing against India is already in a decent form. Like they are also playing good players.

I mean to have ten out of twelve, England has shown great play in this tournament.

Shall we have a look at Nehal's position?

I think women's team is over. No, no, no. Let's go to women's team. Lara versus Savita. I think Savita is back, completely back here, and she should be able to hold, which is very good news. I hope that Vaishali is able to hold this, and dangers are fast. In fact, Vaishali might.

No, winning would be a bit too much, right?

Chances in the future difficult to say that they win because we rook c two, c six. Wondering if we can snatch up seven.

Oh, he didn't find queen a one. No way! Why didn't find queen a one? Yeah, because queen a one was very difficult. What difficult? Queen a two. Seems more nice.

But even now finding white's best move is not. Let let I have not seen queen. I have not seen this, so let me think.

Same thing you cannot take here because of queen b two. It's a draw. Yeah. So there has to be an important move. Last time we were looking at queen d two, but then I was thinking that what is it that queen a one was?

No, queen a one was bringing check. So why don't we go queen e five? Even that now there's no check.

Like queen c four page.

So I So queen b four and queen e five are the best most human.

Oh no, both are mistake. Oh my god, the move is very difficult.

White to play threatens a checkmate.

So oh six is the only move for Gukesh to find, and I believe it's very very difficult.

I think he might find it because there's a checkmate with rook at six.

No, but if you give a check, how do you continue?

Check, king g three and no more checks. Get six is threatened, so black has to take care.

Queen c one now. Yeah.

Now I can take the pawn because f two is not attacked. King takes f three. Oh! Oh, there is no check also. Okay, Rook e six. Rook e six too difficult, I think, for Gukesh. No, I don't think so. No, he plays Queen e five. He played Queen e five the most.

The pressure, it's you know, and the engine move as we have figured it out. It's sometimes just not possible to find such moves.

Queen e five. Now he can again go back for the same idea. Queen b one. Queen b1, Queen a1. This could be an idea. I've just switched off the engine lines and only kept the evaluation because I think it's super tough, right, Pratapesh, to play such a position for both the players? And people are saying these moves are expected of a world champion. Not really, guys. I think overall If Gukesh manages to pose enough problems to Fernand Daniel Fernandez, then he could win this game. But I must say that when he had a winning position, this move perhaps did he play check? Yeah. I think we shouldn't forget that Gukesh has got three minutes, right? And finding Rook e six in that less time is not easy. Yeah. Definitely not. And now King f four, right? Yeah.

Go up. Suppose you go King f four, I still give you a No, whenever I give you a check, you take here.

No, no, check king g three. Oh queen f. I can't take rupee paid.

No, I can't take here. Taking here is rupee paid.

But it's okay, it's okay. You can still play king g three, I guess. G three. So it's still a fighting position. The main thing is now g seven is a mate. So perhaps you want to. Play something where the queen is set up with the attack. Queen f1 maybe, or a check. Yeah, check. King g2.

Now no check. That's good. Yeah, so that doesn't work. So that's why you said queen f1. Oh, this is also not working. Actually, it's tough for both the sides to play. I think we have to expect—

I got it why this, this This is not working. I think it's Rook e8. Once you trade the rooks, the queen endgame is finished because now the king can start running. So perhaps this is what Gukesh is hoping, that somewhere he'll get a chance to play Rook e8. Veteran says super skilled players, ours over defensive, losses Well, I don't know what the question is, but I do feel that when I I think the players are playing well, but in critical moments they are missing out the opportunities. It has happened with Arjun. It has happened with Bhukesh. It has happened with Nihal. I think Prag is the one who is able to score right now on the top board. No, also Rupi six like we from date only overall. Like the game, like there were few other possible.

Many of the moves which you know which were missed. Actually, if you see without engine for us also, it's not possible to find.

Which we are able to find sometimes when we are comparing Amrutab us with him with Yukesh. But I think us with evaluation bar is a bit stronger than us without it.

Us with evaluation bar and no pressure.

And a lot of time. Yes.

And and I don't know, it's not about Gukesh. It would be anybody. I doubt Rookie Six would be found here.

Shall we have a relook at the games?

To see the. Nihal, maybe Nihal, Sarin game. Luke McShane once again doing what he did previously. What did he do? He is coming under time pressure. Last time, if you remember, he thought and thought and came under a minute. It now also, but he's he seems to be a player who plays very well with less time. This is the position we saw, right? King at seven, king f three. And Vaishali has been thinking.

He's been thinking since then. Then Vaishali's game is again two minutes.

Yeah, let's go to Vaishali. This was analysis, guys, in Vaishali's game. So king d two. Rook a3, c6, king g5, c7 check, and maybe next she will go rook a7. I think if so king e3 or king e3 rook c2, so king b3, rook a3 check, check, or maybe rook a7.

King f6 is a blunder.

Rook f8 check, check, king e4, rook c3, then also okay white is winning the e5. Should be a draw.

H three, G three, King H four, King F six.

Check.

Oh, you'll go there? Scary, no?

Yeah, it is scary.

I'll not go there. Why should I?

But it will simplify. Oh, okay, spinning.

अरे वेट। Okay, spinning again. As we expected, it's going to be roller coaster because both the people, it's very difficult. Major piece endgame, guys. All those who want to improve, you should study major piece endings by Boris Gelfand. But I recommend that you need to be at least 1800 FIDE rated players. Yeah, maybe even 2000 plus. Yeah, but sometimes they are 1800 and underrated, so that can be— you can rate yourself if you are underrated or not.

How about Going back, King G3. Yes, exactly. That was the move that I felt was the most natural. Gukesh comes back.

So Queen E5, Queen B3 check. Very natural check. Yeah, मैंने भी वही बोला था। So he did find Queen A5, but it takes like every single move to find accurate move.

But now Queen D1 because this does threaten this. Oh, we did see that.

Just trade, right? Yeah, Rook a two. नहीं पाइंट है। Right.

So now there is no stopping Rook a eight. And if once the rook is traded, you have a passer. You have just that Queen g six check possibility also. If the queen is on the diagonal, check check. Right. You just exchange it. Okay. If you're seeing Queen d one, Rook a eight takes takes checks. Yeah, quite a few checks.

Wait a second. Instead of Rook a eight, is there any other move also which is winning for white? That's the question.

Like let's say if I go C six, is there a check on G one and then a check on H one? It takes C six. Okay, fifth check is coming. Oh yes.

Yeah, I can't take over here and if I go anywhere else, Queen G two check is. Yeah, so I can't do anything. Direct threat है Queen G one.

Nihal winning. No winning. Oh, Nihal is better. Nihal Sarin. Well, I kept this view, and maybe if we want to see both, we can go into. This is nice.

No, this is nice.

Look at this, Amruta. This is also nice. Here we get the full mahal. Zoom in. No, don't zoom in. वो है पूरा zoomed in वाला. इसमें महल दिखता है ना इधर पीछे भी लोग हैं चलते हैं. कोई ये बहुत ही कोई बात नहीं. महल दिखता है. It's a big room. That's what people have to also understand that it's not just two people playing. Queen e3, queen f6, and it goes b7.

Okay, why is it better? Uh, the question, tough one. We don't have engine right now, guys. We only have the bar, but we don't have the moves over here. We are also thinking with the players.

Can we keep both the boats? Oh, that, that's an interesting ask.

Guys, keep the chat as positive as you can. And also a very important thing I would like to mention, that when the stream ends, the— you can leave a comment on the chat.

So the thing is, every single day we have the Neuro giveaway where we are giving away, uh, these 10 Yes, ten of these. So these are the ten giveaways that we give every single day to the people who give comments in the recaps. But today we are changing the destination of it, and we are asking you to keep a comment after the stream ends and to give your thoughts on the performance of both the open and women's section. What did you feel about it? Maybe not on the performance.

They just on the performance.

Yeah. मतलब what do you want to?

Like what has what do you have to say? Like it is going to be anything where you will select based on how the comment is. Yeah. Because they can not negative positive.

No, they won't get a prize if they don't give a good comment. Yeah. So then that makes sense. So you can leave what do you think about the performance of both the teams. You can say what you like dislike. And the best ten comments will get a prize. Okay, so it's it's a slight edge, but it's not so easy. I was wondering if there is some rook h three, rook e five, and then rook takes g three with a checkmate. It's a very beautiful checkmate that could potentially happen. Not easy. Let's see what Nihal plays. What about— so we got Nihal with a slight plus. Gukesh now winning, right? Oh, Gukesh was winning. Let's see if things have— anything has changed there.

If he gets Rook e8, then I think it is going to be amazing, but some roller coaster I'll still expect. King g3.

Daniel is thinking he hasn't yet got the move that he wants to play, but I think Gukesh has things under control, guys. Maybe, maybe we are looking at three and a half half, but but of course Nihal has to take care here. There was also rook g six here, no? As a move, the same concept.

Queen g four check.

No, same concept to sack and mate. Rook g two or king. Let's start to run with the king. Yeah. Queen g four check. Ah, you want to go into the endgame? But the endgame will be drawish, right? Rook takes a seven. A six will also fall. But rook h three is the move. Ah, so you're saying here, here, here, here, here, here, here, takes here, here, takes d6, Rook d3, right?

But then nothing much. c5, even if you get, I think Rook a7, f5.

By the way, Nihal goes for a tricky move. He goes Rook h1. I would never think of this move because there's no threat, right? Or maybe he has a threat of Queen h5 check. Oh, tricky, tricky.

Yeah. G2, Queen h2. Sorry. King g2 को क्या है? Queen h5.

अभी Queen h5, King g2 check.

King f1, Queen d1. Queen d1. Queen e1, Rook h1 finish. Finish तो finish तो finish.

Could be, could be. Priyankit Singh says, Sagar bhai, I always feel our young talents are very hardworking, but what extra they need to do for someone to dominate like Magnus or it is impossible. possible. I think not impossible. I think in general, uh, Prag is showing some sort of domination already. Uh, maybe they have to— he has to continue over tournaments. Meanwhile, Daniel has resigned.

What?

Gukesh won! Wow, Gukesh won the game, guys! Look at that, this is unbelievable because Daniel felt helpless in this position.

He saw Rook e8. Which means, and then he says there is nothing there. Okay, wait. He resigned.

He resigned in this position. Can we see again?

Like if he would have gone with that Rook e eight allowing Rook e eight, Queen d one, Sagar. His best chance.

So let's see Queen d one, Rook e eight.

Now if Rook takes, no Queen d one check, King f three check, King e two.

Oh, we have a very special guest joining us. And by the way, thank you, Pratamesh, for being with us and in the commentary box. My pleasure. Thank you. And we have an incredible young talent joining us. The one and only Posty is here. Hi, hello, Perú!

We are meeting again. Yeah, did you win your game today?

Yeah, I won. Whoa! Big day for Argentina. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But before we before we go to your game and we would love to see it, can you tell us what exactly Savita is winning?

What? Savita is winning how? एक मिनट. We have to look at go there for a moment.

No way.

Oh my God! No, how is this winning?

You know this this player on Indian team. सविता श्री, she might reach six out of six. Yeah, yeah, she was fine. So far she's playing really well. Ah, you're following all the results, yes? Yeah.

Maybe knight h four to five or something like.

Because you winning five and you're winning the ninety four rook five and remove the knight and rook h five and maybe.

But knight h four rook a six, what happens?

I mean, I know it's not. Yeah, rook a six, yeah. That's a defense.

Maybe knight d four. Ah, knight d four. Still okay six, no? The other way.

How is it? Nah, ninety two, ninety three. Well, I mean, it's not easy. Ah, f h one, knight f five.

That's a that's a not not not easy.

Yeah. Not not easy at all.

We should ask him one question later after queen f five that.

ओ अमृता इस लाइक सेइंग दैट इट्स वेरी डिफिकल्ट तू फाइंड वन मूव बट मेबी यू वी वी कैन पोज़ यू विथ ये व्हाट यू लुकिंग एट नो नो ही हैज़ नॉट सी यू हैव नॉट सी नो सो हियर इन दिस पोजीशन गुकेश वन बाय द वे टुडे दिस पोजीशन बट ही हैड मिस मेड अ मिस्टेक हियर विथ क्वीन डी सिक Because here Daniel Fernandez went wrong. I mean, probably you need to move the queen somewhere because, I mean, you need to try to give some checks. It's not looks losing. Maybe Queen a1 or something.

Wow, man.

Yeah, brilliant. Try to check somewhere. Yeah. And Queen a2, what would you play with white? This is tough. This Mukesh didn't find. His opponent played Queen a2.

Um, oh yeah, Savit also didn't find that, by the way.

It was very unlikely because that was Maybe rook e six, rook h six, I guess. Is it?

Yeah, rook e six. Yeah. Too hard, man.

Yeah. Too hard. Not not easy. No, not not easy. Yeah. If you catch it and find it for sure. Well, it was so good move you made that the board vanished. Well, here we are. Okay. First, we should look at your game while. Oh, and just one thought. Sorry. Yeah, we were. No, we were in the match like nineteen, so it's not there. Oh, next one. Okay, we'll look there. What is your feeling about this game? Crazy. I have like forty seconds and six minutes. I mean, I guess, I guess it should be kind of equal, but probably I prefer black. I guess because with low time, I mean, the attacking on f3 looks like, like rook e1. I mean, you can try, or maybe rook h1. I mean, you can try some. I don't know what is the move, but h1 looks good, but I, I don't know, maybe I'm running the idea of fear. Yeah, or some like, man, just blundering something. Ah, rook h2. Whoa! Ah, rook h two and if rook e three king g four. Yeah. No, I just I just missed rook h. Yeah, because if rook e three king g four. Yeah. Nice. King after rook e two but yeah king g four. Maybe rook e one. Yeah. You play rook f six. Ah, queen g five. Yeah. The threat. Oh, queen g five. Yeah, queen g five. Yeah. So maybe queen g four or some like rook g four. Probably rook g4 again, I guess. Queen g4 and g4. I mean, it should be equal. I mean, but equal pawns. I mean, but anything can happen with low time. So by the way, uh, let's quickly Check this one.

By the way, Anon says Faustino is a monster. I remember matching him in a Leeches Puzzle Racer once, and he scored around 123, left us all in the dust. Second place was like somewhere in the 60-70. Yeah. Wow.

By the way, Fausti, because Because you also are short on time, we can look at the critical moment of your game, and you can tell us which was the key moment in this one. You won against Philippines today. Yeah, Philippines. Yeah, two and a half to one and a half with my game. Yeah, because the other three boards went draw. So so just which according to you was the most key moment? Like the no, I mean here was around equal. I mean I was expecting Bishop b8 here, but maybe Rook b8 is fine. I mean I mean I was expecting Bishop b8, but ah ah but but then I saw Rook b8 and Queen a2 and that is good. But I mean I found Queen d3 because maybe Queen a4 d takes c5 Knight e5 Bishop b5 Queen d7 and well Bishop b6 I found maybe Knight d5. I mean I don't know. I mean that's what I saw. So so yeah he played Rook d8 defending that, but now Knight h4. It's tricky because Queen a4, Knight f5, Bishop h4, Queen g3, and the pieces start to attack a bit. Yeah, so he played g6, which is good, but now I tried f4 to, well, to open a bit the position. But I thought that I should be much better, but it's like not clear. Then after Queen a4, I didn't see the way because if I fight g5 and he closes a bit the position, I mean, I, well, the machine says like takes And rook f1, but queen a2 defends f7, and it's not clear. So yeah, knight f3, queen a2 is not good apparently. I didn't—I mean, I saw king g7, which is the second king g7 I was expecting. Even I saw it takes maybe e d and c five could be planned, but maybe not here. But in some point, he played here, played queen e three, which is bad. Of course, but well, I need to. It's not clear. I wanted to to follow a clear plan, but it wasn't. My sense is like H3, maybe King H2, and improve a bit the position. But I thought that I should do something. So here, he played King H7, F5. It looks like a dangerous attack. Yeah, but Knight G5 is not working. It takes Rook G8, and it doesn't work. The point is this bishop, the bishop upon C7, is terrible. Yeah. Instead of of mating him, you positionally outwitted him. Wow, that is amazing. Rook a1. Now maybe I'm threatening like Queen a6 and something. Now Bishop f2 to improve the bishop. Takes. I mean, this was a good part. Knight d2 to— you play instead of Kasparov, you beat him like Carpo. Yeah, yeah. I mean, d5. Oh, now I play Rook a7. Wow. Yeah, I mean, Queen b5. I could play it here also, but well, here Queen b1. Here, I guess. I mean, it's very rare to see opponent to resign with equal material. Yeah, you know. Yeah, I mean, I should have something.

I mean, probably knight.

Knight. I mean, Queen c6. I I thought like here, but I didn't see takes. But I saw Queen d8, and I missed something. Rook b8. What? Rook b8 takes an Knight d8. And then Bishop c5. Yeah, I didn't see that clear. I mean, g4 is not a good move, of course, but I wanted to, to stop him g4 and, and play like positional so he can't move, so I can improve, like improve slowly. You also traded the queens. Yeah, I traded the queens, and now Knight here, Knight b5, and now the bishop goes to e1, a5. Now the bishop goes to c7 and takes all the pawns. What a game! Yeah, here now rook c7, rook c8. And well, here I played bishop c7 and he resigned because of rook a6, d6. And, um, yeah, bishop f8, rook d8. I mean, just chess over.

Yeah, knight b6, d7, and just promote.

So guys, just 12 years old, positionally beautiful game. 12 years old, playing on the top board for Argentina and scoring the crucial win because all other games ended in draws. Yeah. And helping the team win against Philippines. Posty, congratulations! Thank you. And we hope that the team keeps moving up. Yeah, the Argentina team. I hope so. Maybe tomorrow we will get like some top team, so let's see, let's see what happens.

It'll be amazing. Where we are staying, there is an Argentinian journalist also staying in our Oh yeah, so thank you, Faustino, for stopping by and good luck.

Yeah, thank you. I hope maybe to, to be back here, please, with another amazing— this time maybe aggressive win or a sacrificial win.

Yeah, maybe.

See you. Bye. Thank you, guys. Faustino Oro here with incredible aura. He is playing amazing chess, and guys, you just witnessed a future world champion in action. Yes. Hello.

All right, I'll come in. Thank you.

By the way, Amruta. निहाल सरीन इस राइट नाउ पुशिंग एंड गाइस बिग न्यूज़ कमिंग इन दैट सविता इज़ विनिंग। वैशाली ड्रू, सविता इज़ विनिंग। कैन वी हैव अ क्विकल लुक एट बोथ द गेम्स?

या। क्या हो गया सविता विन अगेन?

ओह, एक्स्ट्रा पॉन। मेबी शी फाउंड समथिंग टैक्टिकल देन। लुक एट दैट गाइस। व And Savita Shri, whoa! This is insane. I think Savita is on fire. She can't put a foot wrong in this tournament.

She really is saying to herself, "How can I not go for six out of six?" भाई ये तो मतलब एकदम sixer ही हो जाएगा ना अगर दो double hat trick हो जाएगा if she manages to win. But I don't Still think practically this is so possible to like convert. Yet, like there are many drawing tricks in general. But amazing, amazing. See, is the Faustino football? That's funny.

You know, Faustino could find all the moves there pretty quickly, which was also very impressive. Thank you, thank you. And by the way, Savita is now 2 pawns up, totally crushing it in this position. She is going to push her pawns, and very important now to just play Rook g5 and defend this. So Savita will give India not just the win but also a dominating Meanwhile, going back very quickly to Nihal Sarin, he pushes a4. Okay guys, full focus here. Let's just look at it. King e3, rook f8, rook e5, a5, a4, and now 36 seconds for Luke McShane. He goes Rook g5. And now looking super intense, guys, super intense. Wesley lost. Oh my God. Wesley so lost his game, guys. Now there will be no increment in time, only 30-second increment per move. Luke McShane has 48 seconds. Once again, Nihal in that tension position where he has less time but also very complicated. I love how Luke McShane ran his king over to c2. Actually, Wesley So hasn't lost, right? Oh, he lost! Oh my God! But Awonder Liang won, so it's a 2-2 draw of Armenia and USA. USA not able to move upwards quickly in this tournament. King h8. By the way, India has won in both open and women. Wow, that is great news! We have won in both sections. What? Now the question is, can we make it a dominating win in both with three and half? Ha! And maybe we can.

Three and half would be insane, no? Yeah. Like we did not expect this, at least in the middle of the round. Uzbekistan won. Yes, Uzbekistan won. We have to keep doing our best without caring anything. That's the only thing which we have.

I think Luke McShane is playing so well under time pressure. He's not making a single error until now. But maybe Nihal will get his chance, maybe not.

But I'm a bit worried about this king because somehow it feels that this king is becoming safer.

Yeah, that king run was amazing.

Unless my rooks, my major pieces reach Double the double on the last rank. That should be something. But then again, these two guys are also weak. Okay, this is one of the most like I would say sharp endgame, a sharp major piece endgame. Very few times you know you have actually practiced something like this. So that's why such positions are very difficult to play, especially in time pressure. I agree. What if Armenia holds Uzbek and USA beats them? Yes, that will be a great chance. Akshat, you can check out Chess24 India streams also.

Right now, Amruta, I feel personally that it's very, very difficult to Ooh, for anyone to stop Uzbekistan, because you know, even the mighty Chinese players lost 3-1. So any team that comes, they have to first face the energy of Nodirbek, then the brilliance of Sindarov, then the amazing resilience of Yakubov. And if you just pass through these 3, maybe you have a chance on the 4th board, but there also Madaminov and Mokhidov are playing like Insane chess. So somehow Uzbek team is looking right now immovable, but you never know, one wrong move can change. But meanwhile, Nihal Sarin coming under pressure, Amruta.

Uh, okay, at this point he at least has 1 minute extra.

I don't like his position because, you know, his pieces have become all on one side and he can't even move his rook because always there was Rook h2 ideas with mate. I mean Not directly because it goes with a check. But you know this queen was too passive. So with rook g8, he's trying to defend this and get the queen into the game.

No, you know what? If I get c5, c4, do I want to open it up?

But the only move for Nihal now is to get seven because imagine if you play c5, you lose d5.

No, directly I lose. And if you play, you don't have moves.

Like for example, you play rook h3. I Have Rook e5, Rook e8 mate. That's how crazy it is.

How will I find King h7? It is very difficult.

King h7 is tough. Nihal Sarin has 1 minute 17 seconds, and I think he realizes that Rook e5, Rook e8 is a massive threat here. Look at this, d4 again. There are like— if you play Rook e5, you are busted here.

No, no, no, no, don't allow that. But if I go King h7, Queen f5, Check.

Yes, Queen f5, he gets it. Maybe come back and then g4.

I was— oh, he blunders! He blunders!

Rook b8! No, Rook b8 on the board, guys! Dihal Sarit is lost after Rook g6. It's an insane—

why, why Rook g6? Queen h7, I go. Wait a second, and then f5.

No, and then Rook ge6 and Rook e8 mate.

Ah, every time you want the other rook to go to e8 Oh my God, Luke Maxine so close to victory. Ah, he finds it.

Queen at seven, but now Luke Maxine will go rook g six, and that is game over for Nihal. It turned around in a matter of two moves. Look at Nihal there. Well.

Okay, this we didn't expect because the king run to c2. I think that must have completely shocked everything.

And Amruta, very important for Luke Vexel to find Rook e6, but Rook e8—

I mean, he might just pick up the pawn, then what happens?

No, if you take this, then Nihal is back. If you take here, then Queen h3 and he's back. But he just played Rook And it's over, guys. It's done.

Rook e8, rook e8, rook e8. So what if I go queen h3 now? Queen h3. How do you finish? Rook takes e8. Rook takes e8. King at 7. Queen g8. King g6. Maybe rook e6 check.

I think it's a mate.

King at 7. No, queen is here.

So let's— so the move Abruta is saying Here check takes takes king at seven check king here and now this is not a good actually Amruta maybe this is the winning move but you are right find rook e two you are right there is still some hope for Nihal Sarin and he plays your move okay let's go let's go plays queen h three I want to be hopeful there is still maybe some hope because in that variation it was not so clear Yeah, because you know you give I go king h five, you go queen h seven check, I go king g four. किसी को नहीं समझ में आ रहा है तुम्हारा grandmaster analysis. We have to make the moves on the board. Guys, it's still game is not over. You can see Nihal fully focused there. Luke Beckshin will give a check. I don't see any other move. Oh, he goes rookie seven. Oh. What a move!

Wait, rook g8. What? You still have to play rook g8, right? You anyway have to go convert into the same thing, right? Okay, this is going to be very, very difficult, but it is not like 100% loss. Maybe 99% lost. That 1%, guys, the hope is only 1%, so don't Keep it like 99% hope. Look at both the coaches.

Swayams is there, Srinath is there. Both of them looking at Nihal's game. He did go for your move, Amruta. Rook g8 on the board.

Yeah. Now if other than rook e8, does white have anything else? Like f5 and f6 is something which I will think about. Is it a good idea?

The hope, guys, the hope is when we analyze this variation takes takes takes king h7 queen g8 is the most natural. You know the computer's winning who is rook king c3. It's very tough.

Impossible.

So here here and now the best move is rook e2.

No that rook e2 is not natural.

King h5 is still a fight because if you give a check black is back in the game.

This is the hope. This is what is the hope.

And by the way, rookie eight has happened. Rookie eight, rookie eight, rookie eight on the board.

And the main reason it could go into such a territory is only because of that time pressure. If there were thirty minutes in this position, it might be a little different. Yeah. But here you keep giving checks. Okay, let's see. Why was the move king c three the best? I don't know, but let's see.

I guess the idea, Amruta, of king c three is perhaps to put the king somewhere here. I don't know.

Like, if that's the idea, it's maybe three thousand five hundred. I I mean even Magnus will not find it, right?

I don't know. Like, or maybe yeah, he goes for the most natural check. King g six on the board. Amruta. Actually guessing everything. Maybe one of the best bit of guesses, Amruta, and best bit of analysis you've done. No, really, it was really. You didn't give up. I thought that it's over if the king is smoked out, but you look deeper in this and found that maybe Rook e six is not so simple.

Rook e six is natural. I felt over here King c three. I would not understand. I would even look at f5 ideas, but then I have only 3.

Rook e2 is now the best.

The best, huh?

Tell me this. It's very difficult actually. Rook e2, you eat takes g3, and now Rook e6. Somehow, I don't know, guys, we need to analyze this much deeper, but pretty sure that Luke Bakshet doesn't find Rook e2. If he does, maybe putting my—

oh no, he didn't, he didn't. He played f5 or what? Wait, he played f5. Yeah, that is my second. And Nihal is back.

Let's, let's go. King h5.

Let's go, Nihal. Abhruka bro, it's done bro. No Adi, it's not done bro. f5 check. But now whether king takes f5 or queen takes f5 because if queen takes f5 then in the square later you might lose the rook. You know.

No queen takes f5 is also a good move yeah. Really?

But yeah. There is no rook e6 check. King g5, queen g. I don't know. It looks very scary for me. King f5 more natural. What is the best move? Tell me. King f five mates.

King f five is a blunder. King h five or queen takes f five. These two moves. So the main point is, if you take queen king h five, queen takes g seven for example, queen g two check, king c three, rook c one check, king d four is a mate.

Jay Shankar is saying Amrita is sitting in the chair that Fausti vacated. No wonder she called. Yes, I think this is Faustino Oro's aura over here, which is still there. So you know how strong he is.

But Amruta, I think imagine if you do this, this, this, this, this. Suddenly the black king is super safe.

Yeah, actually, behind the white horse.

Giving the shelter. Super safe is an overstatement, but at least some safety. That's true.

Oro ka aura. Let's go. I can't believe best move found by Nihal Sarin, guys. मैंने इतना अमृता ओपी कभी नहीं देखा है। Thank you, guys.

अमृता से ओपी निहाल बोल रहे हैं लोग। अरे दोस्तों, अमृता का जो भरोसा था निहाल पे। Let's go, guys. There's a lot to do, lot to do here. If Nihal converts this, I mean draw, it's a big result. If he wins, that's just insane. That I don't think is going to happen, but a draw would be really cool because you know, Amrita winning is out of question. You can even trade the queens and it's a draw.

Question तो कुछ भी नहीं है सागर.

Oh, this is just a draw, right?

G8 king oh king pawn and game will be lost.

Yeah, this is drawn. So actually draw only if Luke McShane goes overboard and says, oh, I must win at all costs. Will he completely blunder some?

मैं टेंशन तो आ रहा है। मतलब I know guys you are saying that India has won, so how does it matter? But at the end of it, it's it's a beautiful game which Nihal has also played and there is this also कि केफ़ थ्री कि केफ़ हारना नहीं है भाई। बागो अंदर, बागो। I love that.

Now Nihal is pawn down from being pawn up throughout the game.

He's a pawn down. You know, Harshit Raja was not very well and he went back. पर यहाँ के राजा भाग रहे हैं, बोल रहे हैं कि This is Harshit bhai.

Harshit bhai on football field running. Exactly.

Let's go, let's go.

What would he do? Queen G five. अरे नवीन कुमार Guys, let's quickly check what's happening with Savita here on this board.

Savita Shriya's oh oh rook endgame and two connected pawns.

Guys, Savita hundred percent six out of six.

ये तो because rook endgame है तो कोई stress नहीं। If it was a knight endgame there was a stress.

The insane part of this is that India will beat Germany which has a strong team. And they have, I think, two GMs right on board one and two.

Elizabeth Pace.

I mean, Dinara Wagner is an IM, but and we beat them three and half half.

Wow! I mean, no, it is impressive. No matter what, it's impressive.

Okay, Nihal Sarin thinking about what move to make. His opponent wants to give a check, corner the king here.

And maybe Savita will also remain the only player with six out of six. I doubt if anybody else has managed such a score. Well, this is a passer sagar, and it looks very dangerous.

So we need to find a perpetual queen g two check is I think what Nihal will do. Yes, he gave the check. He gave the check. King c three. What?

Wait, d four होगा रुक c one को क्या होगा?

Rook c1 loses.

Queen b4 नहीं, queen b and king a5. Rook c1 loses queen c1.

Let's just go back with g2. I think the best move for Luke McShane is to block with the queen, queen d2. If yes he blocks it and now trade the queens.

But you can game will be lost no?

No basically here. Because f pawn is just a passer.

How is it a draw?

He did take. He did take. And now very important for Nihal to give a check.

Oh, it's because if I go king g three, it's lost. No. King g three.

The problem is rook. What? F six. Rook f one. Rook f eight wins. But it's so difficult to understand that you have to give a check. King c three and now take because now f six. Rook f two. Rook f eight.

What is the difference? Rook f Four, and somehow very difficult.

You can make it. No, it's it's it's impossible. It's impossible, guys. Nihal Sarir, if he plays rook h two, I think that would be like unbelievable understanding. I don't even understand now. Like why can't I do this? Here f seven. Sorry, rook f eight, rook f four. King e three, king e two stops here. That's why the check, Abruta. No, he didn't give the check. He took here.

Ah! No, this was difficult. मैं तो मैं बोलती थी ना कि वही खेलेगा। Oh! But wait, is it is it easy for white to also find this? Yeah. King e two is difficult.

Yeah, it's over, Abruta. Like f six, rook f one, rook f eight. Threatening f7 check and queen. So you go rook f4, and now a super important move.

Why will I go rook f4?

First of all, to to make the shelter for the king. Otherwise check and queen बच जाएगा। No, but rook f5, king e2, king f4.

It's not completely over. Wait.

So so अरे अब्रुता तुम तुम्हारा analysis फिर से करो भाई। Rook f1, rook f8.

King Rook f five, King e three आओगे ना इस बार d four, King e four आ रहा है। Okay, Rook if I check King d four, Rook f five again.

By the way, he's played f six. He found f six here. Luke McShane showing that now he won't go wrong.

Prem says I feel like I'm in a roller coaster. मैं किस मैं नहीं बचा सकती guys. But I, I would not hundred. I will still put one percent hope over here because kingy two तुम्हारे लिए बहुत natural है क्या?

I mean मेरे लिए इतना natural नहीं है। If if basically rook f8 is forced, if he plays rook e6, rook e6, rook e6 he can be tempted. But I think rook f8 has the natural idea of f7 check and queen. So like yes he played rook f8 of course. Okay now rook रुके फोर या रुके फाइव तो खेलना ही पड़ेगा। so रुके फोर, if you play king e three d four, king e two, now रुके five and king f four, you get that square. so you need that square, you need to bring your rook and get the square. so i think the best idea is रुके f रुके f four anyhow because if he plays king e two, you can go रुके f five and then king e three.

can I ask you for रुके four if white goes king c Okay, but then what?

It's just draw. King gets the shelter. You need rook up and shelter, guys. Why? Because if you play something like, let's say, c5, f7 check, and queen— that's why the king needs a shelter. And shelter is rook coming up and king, because otherwise if king comes here, then the queen happens directly. And Nihal has 32 seconds to figure this out. But what to figure?

रुके फोर और रुके फाइव ही विल प्ले वन ऑफ़ द मूव। ही प्लेस रुके फोर। ओके बेस्ट मूव प्लेड। एंड नाउ ओनली मूव फॉर लुक मैकशेन इज़ किंग ई टू। इफ़ ही प्लेस किंग ई थ्री, डी फोर इज अ ड्रॉ। किंग ही स्टेज़ बैकवर्ड्स द किंग फॉर शुरू। हिज बॉडी। प्लेज़ इट। प्लेज़ इट। हाँ, Watching the final moments of Nihal Sarin's game. India has already won against England, but this game over here—

ah, Nihal, f5 maybe.

Tell me one mistake which can happen still with white, Sagar.

I think maybe— I don't know, I want to play Rook f5, but King e3 is natural there, and Rook f2 check, there's King e3. So I think I think it's, it's over, guys. This time I don't see any defense. Maybe Amruta, if you find something, please let us know. It is also possible that— by the way, GM Harshit Raja in the chat says King e2 is insane. It's tough.

No, it was tough actually. Luke finding it is incredible, I would say.

Yeah, he did it easily. And Rook f5, he immediately played King e3. Immediately.

I didn't even think for a Okay, but you have to give a check now. Force Rook e5, King d4, Rook f5 is at least forced.

You can go here, here, here, f7, Rook f5, King c5, and the king rounds up the pawns.

Rook f6. Wait, bye.

Oh, bye, Amruta is doing what you are saying. Let's go, guys, another Amruta masterpiece coming in here. Defensive masterpiece. Okay, Luke McShane cannot go back, that would be too passive. He will come up ahead. He went King d4, and now once again Rook f5 played. f7 very likely, guys. King c5 also possible. Guys, Savita is totally winning. Totally. Savita is going to make it 6 out of 6.

Oh, that is taking her towards the individual gold clearly.

I mean, if she doesn't play the remaining round, she'll get the gold because you have to play more than 50% of something like 6 games or something like that. There's some rule. But you look at Luke Bakshyan, Amruta, he doesn't even play f7, so you don't even get Rook f6. Now you're losing this pawn. So Nihal has to seek counterplay here.

I can never go King e3. Like, when I go King f4, you will play f7, and I can never take my king to another file, and he will give a check.

Hey, that's a good point, because imagine if I do this and you take this pawn. Now I'm back in the game because I can And go on the e-file. And moment you take, I use my d-pawn as a shield. Yeah, it's all about shielding, guys. Think of this as a war in which there is some bullets being thrown and you need a shelter. And these pawns or the rook are the shelter, and somehow the king has to run before the bullet strikes him.

So at this point, still f7 is the only move.

Oh, he'll find it. He'll find it because then he locks up the king. Because the moment you play f7, king goes here, check, and queen.

That's the problem. But but f7, then rook f6. At least I'm not losing the c6 immediately. Yes, that's true. Like just move by move in whichever worst position you are you are in play the best move. Right.

The only problem, Amrita, of that is that you are going to be completely stuck up. So by the way, Luke Beckshad trying to fight. Is there a final hope for Nihal Sarin here? Look at the tension, by the way. Final hope—is it there or not?

Slight inaccuracy and chances of draw, says Atanu Sarkar. Absolutely, Atanu.

Guys, you need energy and focus in such positions. It's very important to be focused.

Even without it, yeah, it does look lost. But still, until it is over, it's not over. Luke Maxson has a mathematician and philosophy degree from Oxford. What a guy, says Vidya.

And also, he's a— he was a trader. He was called the strongest amateur in the world of chess because without professionally playing chess, he kept a FIDE rating of 2700+. He plays f7, he fights it. What a move! Nihal Sarin needs to need some miracle, Amruta, here to save himself. And he goes Rook f6. Your line is happening.

Okay, now how does d4 only move for white? And I think it's natural again because there is nothing else is moving. No, King b6 can be interesting or what?

King b6 because you want to go King would be a mistake because of King f5 and I'm coming quickly to win the pawn.

So you can always go King g6. So you need d4. King f five.

King f five, yes. Savita won.

Savita won. Let's have a quick look at Savita's games.

Not the game, but we can look at her video here. Savita there, guys. Let's have Savita, Opie, and Hearts in the chat because she has made it six out of six and also three and half, one and half victory for Team India here.

What guys, Savita hundred OP हो जाएगा इस कविता hundred percent OP.

Oh yes, too good. What a performance by Indian team in the women's section. We are moving upwards. We just now need to beat one of the leaders to get back our gold medal winning chances in the women's section. But here, Nihal Sarin. Well, Amruta, it's time for hope here. King F5 is on the board. Is this good enough? King g6 coming. Only move rook e8.

Oh, how tough is that? King g6, rook e8.

How tough is that, man?

Super tough, tough, man. It's not over until it's over.

Rook e8 on the board. Luke McShane cuts off the black king, and next up he will take this pawn.

Now it's a theoretical rook endgame. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Oh yes, the problem is if you take here My rook cannot get active, and then rook have to be. नहीं है. And now this is hanging. Wow, man!

The the problem with all the you know older players—they are pretty good in these kind of endgames because they have studied.

And by the way, Luke McShane drinks water by Prague technique here. He's like he knows he's winning.

Okay, guys. Now this is this is technically lost.

I think I think Luke deserves this victory for finding some insanely good moves.

Agreed. No, I think his plan with taking the king over there was very good.

अमृता अमृता अमृत रुके सेवन नहीं बस होया Guys, rook a seven played, but now the best move I think could be simply to give a check. Oh, by the way, they took a pawn. Okay, okay. I doubt if Nihal can save this in any way. King c five, d pawn is just rushing down. This rook cuts off the king. They say that rook endgames are drawn. But this one is clear. You've cut the king. You're going king c six, d five, d six here. Even the long side is not long enough because of check finally coming here, and after rook d six, you simply push the pawn.

So, like firstly, black's rook should have been behind the pawn over there. Even then, that is a that is a lost position. But here it's Not at all much of a play, but yeah, he tried. He tried as much as he could. No, Luke Igen played amazing, and I mean his resilience was too good. Like the no point he made a mistake after after a certain point.

By the way, huge news coming in that Dutch team has won three and a half half today against Bulgaria. Which means that the Netherlands team is now on 12 match points. You know, it's brilliant. I mean, we are lucky in some ways that Gukesh managed to win his game there because if he had drawn, Amruta Gukesh, then we might have had 2-2 score.

Exactly. So I do think that Gukesh's game, though it seemed like the roller coaster, many of the moments were not very easy to find. Fine, both the sides in general.

So king to c6, and Amruta, big thing that now Srinath has to decide is whether tomorrow Nihal continues to play or will he get a rest now.

And Nihal might also want some rest.

Yeah, yeah, maybe, maybe you need rest. And Vidit has to suddenly come in after he played 2 rounds. Vidit hasn't played the last 5 rounds. So, you know, he has to mentally get ready right now. If Vidit was there and watching this game, he would already be starting that in less than 12 hours from now. Okay, 12 is 16 or 18 hours. I have to go to the board and play a critical round. Amruta, this is why in team tournaments you have 5 players and not 4, because you can rotate. What do you think? People are like, yes, Vidy should play. Nihal's rest needed. Maybe Nihal needed. Some are also of the opinion, give Nihal another chance, but not sure.

I, I think, uh, it's also important to hear the player's perspective over there. Like, it's very easy on the outside to say, okay, Nihal has, uh, like, Nihal should be rested, he lost 2 games. But I think only result cannot be seen.

No, I'm pretty sure. But as you know, somewhere maybe Nihal also wants the rest. You don't know.

Exactly. That's why I'm saying—

Like, if he says, I want to play, like the team— what happens, guys, is that there's a team meeting. All the players come in, the coach is there, and they all talk. What— and basically the coach leads it. He will ask Nihal, would you like to play tomorrow? If Nihal says, yes, I want to play, and then Vidit also says, I want to play, then maybe the coach decides. But if Nihal himself says I don't want to play, then Vidit gets. So like that is conversation.

Yeah. And they are all very smart and kind enough to take a very good decision. So wow. But of course this one in general is definitely going to hurt Nihal himself because it's not easy. Yeah. When When you, when you know like so much is at stake, he will be very happy that the team won. So that's a great thing. Two people have made a comeback even after two losses.

So yes, it's hard, but I mean we have the luxury of resting Nihal. That's also a thing.

Like yeah, we have a strong.

We have a good player in the team. Many teams do not have this luxury, so they could not. I think Uzbekistan also has the luxury of resting one of their fourth board players. Keep changing that.

Okay, it's over.

Oh, he resigned. He resigned because, guys, the problem is that the king cannot enter close. The pawn is coming down, and if you play a move like rook d seven. I go king c five, d five is coming. Otherwise, this pawn is going to be lost on a four. So all in all, taking all of this into consideration, Nihal Sarin has resigned.

He's very sad actually. It also breaks the heart to see him, you know, very sad after the game ended. He was his body language and his expression also showed. No, right now it's going to be very difficult. But guys, send a lot of love. And we do have this thing that after the stream you can leave a comment, uh, and try to, uh, have some encouraging words for Nihal as well, maybe.

Yeah, I mean, you can write about what you felt about Team India's performance today in both open and women. Meanwhile, today Gawain Jones did Not play. So you can see there, Shreenath talking to Gawain and Luke McShane. Guys, let's have Luke OP, guys. He played really well. I mean, we all love Nihal. We all are unhappy that he did not make it today, but you have to give it to this guy, Luke McShane.

Shreenath is analyzing with him.

Yeah, and you can see Nihal has to stop. Stop for analyzing, you know.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, they are analyzing right now. See, uh, if we can zoom in a bit.

I mean, remember in GCL, he would actually go to the other team's dugout to analyze with the opponent. That's how much he likes. But here, maybe there is so much pressure that he is getting up. But here, the moment he got a chance to analyze, he stood You know, yeah, once you get into that, it's—

the analysis is all going near the kingside.

To all the people who kind of doubt Nihal, guys, remember, in chess, your FIDE rating is a good enough illustration of your strength. So 2718 is a sign of a top player Like, Nihal is one of the top 10-15 players in this tournament, not just in, in the Indian team, you know. Like, he's one of the best in the world.

Actually, and let's not forget the 2 rounds which India won. It was because of also Nihal's one of the critical games. So we can't just look at only this one.

But, but it's true that now there's a big question, Amruta. Like, it's also a question to decide Whether tomorrow Nihal plays doesn't coach will do.

Coach will decide, no? Yeah. And yeah, we all will have different opinions. And maybe Nihal himself says, "I need some rest." It's highly possible. And maybe with it plays practically. That would be something possible. Maybe not. But let's not. We cannot guess for sure right now.

And guys, I have two. Remind all of you that we are going to do the Neuro giveaway. Neuro has been the sponsor of this, of our streams and our coverage here, and it's they are gums and mints to give you energy. Often we have this L bands here, and there are ten giveaways. So all of you who are here immediately after the stream ends, you can write a nice comment, whatever you feel about today's performance. And the top ten will be selected from that to get the Neuro giveaway here. So please do mention, do write that Amruta. Maybe if this is what we have to do, we should end the stream so that people who are there.

A big thanks to Neuro for sponsoring the stream. Also a big thanks to Nordwin Gaming because the whole setup is over there.

And well, the the whole setup as in we are using virtual machine. Provided to us by Nordwin Gaming for our live broadcast. We only have our cameras and the board here, and they have helped us to set up the stream. Vivek Pai from our team for setting up today's broadcast, Anmol for the overlays, our entire team with Aditya and Himank here on ground and everyone back home. Thank you all for supporting us. Round number 7 has ended. Team India won both in open and women. That's the good news from here. Two and half, one and half victory for the open team against England, and three and half half thumping victory for the women against Germany. And that just shows what a great, great result this was.

Buddha Vitya Bhattacharya says, "Hi Sagar, by watching your commentary after ages, thank you." And you're gonna keep watching because there is going to be Olympia, there's going to be total world championship, there's also going to be world championship. So this is going to be some exciting next few months. Keep watching, guys.

Keep supporting. And we Amrita had two more contributors on Help Chess: Nirav Laya and Abhya Adri. Thank you so much for contributing on helpchess.org and supporting our streams and becoming a believer of Indian chess. Whoa! Pranav Bvn with a huge contribution of forty euros. Wow! Wow, sad to see another loss for Nihal, but Luke played brilliantly today. Loved the coverage, Sagar bhai and Amruta di. Missed Harshit bhai today. Hope he recovers and gets well soon. Love from Netherlands. Wow, we also missed Harshit bhai today, but we had some amazing, uh, people join in today. You know, Amruta, we had Postino coming in, we had Prathamesh coming in, we had, uh, the Swiss president coming in. We had Emil coming in. We had Nusha coming in. So so many guests here. That is why we are here in Summerkund. Sometimes I forget where are we. You know, we've been commentating and then I remember oh we are in Uzbekistan.

Sometimes feels like another planet altogether, like Star Wars or something like that.

Knowing when to accept draw for the team is important, says Prasad Duri.

Well, we learn another super chat by Pranav. Doesn't like like Prag rejected. 2 same? No, wait.

Yeah, maybe you buy mistakes, then you can cancel one.

You can cancel it.

Well, experience matters, I know, guys, but any— I'm pretty sure that Team India will do the thinking. Srinath will do the thinking, and Nihal will hopefully come back. Maybe with it will be in action tomorrow. We'll see, guys. For now, this is Sagar Shah signing off along with Amruta. Yes, thank you, guys.