India’s Dominance in the Tournament
India’s remarkable performance at the Chess Olympiad is highlighted by the fact that all four Iranian players had entered their match without any prior losses. However, in Round 8, India handed Iran a sobering defeat, winning three matches against them.
Gukesh’s Tactical Prowess
As the game progressed, Gukesh exhibited a predatory focus, circling his seat like a hawk eyeing its prey. Parham Maghsoodloo, Gukesh’s opponent from Iran, was visibly distraught, holding his forehead in despair as if he had made a life-altering bet. When he finally resigned, he couldn’t even look Gukesh in the eye, reflecting his deep disappointment.
Missed Opportunities
The tension was palpable. After 25 moves in their match, Maghsoodloo had a 10-minute time advantage and two extra pawns compared to Gukesh, who had narrowly outperformed him for a spot in the Candidates tournament last year. However, in a disastrous four moves, Maghsoodloo made three critical mistakes that cost him the game.
His first blunder came on move 29, where he surrendered his only remaining knight for free. On move 31, instead of capturing Gukesh’s knight, he could have eliminated Gukesh’s queen at the expense of his own but failed to do so. Finally, on move 32, he placed his rook on b2 instead of moving his king to safety.
Fatal Errors Against a Calculating Opponent
Against a player of Gukesh’s caliber, even a single mistake can be catastrophic. Maghsoodloo’s three miscalculations within four moves sealed his fate, leading him to resign just two moves later. This marked Gukesh’s sixth victory in seven games, with his only draw being the exception.
Teammates Struggle
Meanwhile, Maghsoodloo’s teammates were also struggling. Bardiya Daneshvar, playing with the white pieces, resigned after 36 moves. Arjun overwhelmed him with a powerful rook supported by a pawn that was poised to promote, effectively sealing the match.
Conclusion
India’s unwavering dominance at the Chess Olympiad continues, showcasing their strategic brilliance and solidifying their position in the tournament.
