Gujrathi, Humpy offered hotel rooms to play remaining matches

Chennai, August 24

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Indian players Vidit Gujrathi and Koneru Humpy have been offered hotel rooms in their respective cities to play the remaining matches of the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad after internet and power failures affected their performance against Mongolia in the sixth round.

India yesterday became the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals after topping Pool A with a 4-2 win over China in the ninth and final preliminary round. India will play the winner of the match between Greece and Armenia on August 28.

Though India, led by Gujrathi, have been on an unbeaten run, they were held to an unexpected 3-3 draw by lower-ranked Mongolia in the sixth round after Gujrathi and Humpy suffered setbacks due to internet and power supply problems.

To address the issue, the All India Chess Federation has offered the duo to play the remaining matches from five-star hotels. Humpy said she was reluctant to stay in a hotel due to the Covid-19 pandemic, while Gujrathi would inform his decision in a day or two. — PTI