India enter Online Chess Olympiad semifinals

Chennai, August 28

India advanced to the semifinals of the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad today after their opponents Armenia withdrew, following rejection of their appeal over one of their players losing a game due to internet disconnection. India will take on the winner of the Azerbaijan versus Poland match in the semifinals on Saturday.

India had won the first round of matches 3.5-2.5, with captain Vidit S Gujrathi, D Harika and Nihal Sarin

posting victories. While former world champion Viswanathan Anand drew his game against Armenian No. 1 Lev Aronian, Koneru Humpy and Vantika Agrawal suffered defeats.

The Armenians protested for a long time, delaying the start of the second round, before withdrawing following the rejection of their appeal.

“Following the disconnection of Haik Martirosyan in Match 1 of the Quarterfinal against India, Armenia filed an official appeal that was rejected. Armenia defaulted Match 2. As a result, India is through to the semifinals,” FIDE tweeted.

Martirosyan was declared the loser against Sarin.

Meanwhile, Harika tweeted: “Good to qualify for the semifinals of the FIDE online Olympiad. It is very unfortunate the circumstances under which it happened and not the way we would have liked to qualify. “ — PTI