Kazakhstan's women's team drew 2:2 with India in the eighth round of the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. In the men's tournament, unbeaten Uzbekistan suffered a shock loss to Germany, while Kazakhstan beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3:1, infohub.kz reports.
After a hard-fought draw in the previous round, China and Kazakhstan continued their push for gold. Kazakhstan settled for a 2:2 draw with India, a team that needs no introduction.
The winning point on board two came from Alua Nurman. The 19-year-old, playing black, defeated world title contender Vaishali Rameshbabu on move 46 — the same player who finished just half a point ahead of Kazakhstan's Bibisara Assaubayeva at the Candidates Tournament in Cyprus.
Assaubayeva herself drew on board one with two-time world rapid champion Humpy Koneru. Meruert Kamalidenova drew with 2025 World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh. Elnaz Kaliakhmet made an inaccuracy in the endgame against Sri Savita and resigned on move 62.
China's decisive point in their match against Georgia came on board four, where Zhai Mo beat Lela Javakhishvili.
WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD 2026. Round 8. September 24. Women. KAZAKHSTAN – INDIA 2:2. Grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva (2536) – Grandmaster Humpy Koneru (2509) 0.5:0.5. Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu (2469) – International Master Alua Nurman (2455) 0:1. International Master Meruert Kamalidenova (2413) – Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh (2490) 0.5:0.5. International Master Sri Savita (2382) – Woman International Master Elnaz Kaliakhmet (2347) 1:0.
In the men's tournament, Uzbekistan, the clear leader and unbeaten so far, unexpectedly lost to Germany 1.5:2.5. A pack of eight teams is now chasing the leaders with three rounds to go.
Kazakhstan, after a disastrous loss to Serbia that dropped it from 26th to 46th place, beat another former Yugoslav team. The Kazakh players defeated Bosnia 3:1 and climbed back up the standings.
WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD 2026. Round 8. September 24. Men. KAZAKHSTAN – BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 3:1. Grandmaster Denis Makhnev (2568) – International Master Sanjin Chulum (2441) 1:0. International Master Rijad Burović (2414) – International Master Sauat Nurgaliyev (2493) 0:1. International Master Daniyal Sapenov (2210) – International Master Dejan Marjanović (2390) 0.5:0.5. Grandmaster Dalibor Stojanović (2412) – Grandmaster Ansat Aldiyar (2495) 0.5:0.5.
A total of 398 teams, 1,974 players and 240 grandmasters are taking part in the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
The tournament is played under the Swiss system over 11 rounds. Each team consists of four players and one reserve. The time control is classical — 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, plus another 30 minutes, with 30 seconds added after each move.
A team earns two match points for a win and one for a draw. If teams are level on points, tie-break criteria come into play.
The winners of the men's tournament receive the Lord Frederick Gustavus Hamilton-Russell Cup, while the women's champions receive the Vera Menchik Cup. The federation with the best combined finish for both teams is awarded the Nona Gaprindashvili Cup.