Arjun, Gukesh shine as India outwit Hungary B

India men dropped their first point, but carried enough steam to beat Hungary ‘B’ 3.5-0.5 to maintain a clean slate in the ongoing 45th Chess Olympiad here.

In the open section, the hero for the Indian men was Arjun Erigaise who played a brilliant attacking game against Peter Prohazska and ended with a checkmate after a queen sacrifice.

However, Vidit Gujrathi had to settle for a quick draw against Papp Gabor and it was the first time an Indian men’s player failed to notch a win in this event.

But D. Gukesh outclassed Adam Kozak, while R. Praggnanandhaa made most of his chances in the endgame as Tamas Banusz was gradually outplayed.

Earlier, a shock defeat for D. Harika on the top board did not deter the other Indian girls as R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agarwal scored crushing victories to ensure a 3-1 victory for the team that kept them in joint lead on six match points.

Harika lost to recent-migrant Alexandra Kosteniuk who gave up her Russian citizenship and joined the Swiss team.