Hangzhou Asian Games: India off to winning start in chess team events

NEW DELHI: The Indian men and women commenced their chess team event at the Asian Games with resounding victories over Mongolia and the Philippines, respectively in Hangzhou on Friday.
In the first round, both teams secured impressive 3.5-0.5 victories, displaying their dominance in the competition.
The team event at the Asian Games is being contested in the classical time format, distinct from the rapid format used in the individual events.
In the case of the top-seeded Indian men's team, GM Arjun Erigaisi initiated the scoring by defeating IM Amartuvshin Ganzorig of Mongolia while playing with the black pieces. Vidit S Gujrathi and R Praggnanandhaa also contributed to the team's success.
GM D Gukesh was, however, held to a draw on the top board by a lower-ranked GM Bilguun Sumiya.
Praggnanandhaa defeated Batchuluun Tsegmed while Gujrathi got past Gan-Erdene Sugar.
The second-seeded Chinese began with a 3-1 win over Philippines while a strong Uzbekistan beat Kyrgyzstan by a similar scoreline.
In the women's section, R Vaishali and B Savitha Shri won their games to put India on the road to victory.
IM Vantika Agrawal then drew with Jan Jodilyn Fronda with black pieces.
D Harika then won by 3.5-0.5 margin against HM Janelle Mae Frayna.
Vaishali and Savitha Shri beat Marie Antoinette San Diego and Bernadette Galas respectively.
Meanwhile, a strong Chinese team, the top-seed, was held to a 2-2 draw by Uzbekistan, seeded seventh.
(With PTI Inputs)