World Team Chess Championship: India lost to Uzbekistan in the semi-finals

India lost 1-3 to Uzbekistan in the semi-finals of the FIDE World Team Chess Championship here on Friday.

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Both the teams were tied at 2-2 after the first round. SL Narayanan got India off to a good start with a brilliant win over Shamsiddin Vokhidov playing the black pieces but S P Sethuraman lost against Jakhongir Vokhidov.

The second match was won 2.5-1.5 by the Uzbeks. On the top board, GM Nodirbek Yakubboev defeated GM Vidit Gujrathi but Narayanan won again. With a draw on board four, Uzbekistan's second win, scored by Sindarov, was decisive. His game with Nihal saw a pretty finish.

Apart from Vidit Santosh Gujrathi and Nordirbek Yakubboev, the match between Nihal Sarin and Javokhir Sindharov ended in a draw. Gujrathi and Sarin lost in the second round to Yakubboev and Sindharov, respectively. Narayanan beat Vokhidov in 44 moves but Sasikiran, playing in place of Sethuraman, drew with Sindharov as Uzbekistan, winners of the Open title at the Chess Olympiad earlier this year, won 2.5-1.5 to book their place in the final. Playing without GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov but still coached by Ivan Sokolov the Uzbeks are playing for the top medals also in Jerusalem.

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In another semi-final of the World Team Chess Championship, China defeated Spain 3-1. After the first round saw honors being shared, China won the second 3-1 to book a final clash with the Uzbeks. The Indian team will face Spain for the third place on Friday.