India also continued their winning streak in the women's section with Vaishali Rameshbabu and Vantika Agarwal winning with black pieces to help the team defeat a strong Georgia team 3-1. Georgia won the Chess Olympiad in 2008.
Both the Indian men's and women's teams maintained their unbeaten streak, taking their tally to 14 points and remaining the sole leaders in the standings after seven rounds.
In the Open section, Uzbekistan, Iran and Hungary were back in contention by winning their respective matches. Iran defeated Vietnam, which had surprised China in the previous round, by 2.5 to 1.5, Hungary beat Lithuania by the same margin and Uzbekistan defeated Ukraine by 3 to 1.
However, when the action resumed after a day's rest, all eyes were on the clash between India and China. Fans' hopes of seeing World Championship final contenders Ding Liren and Gukesh fight before the mega clash in Singapore did not materialise. The Chinese team rested the reigning world champion in this round, and it seemed like a prudent move, especially after Ding Liren lost to Vietnam's Le Quang Liem in the sixth round.
Although he did not face the World Champion, Gukesh remained India's star by defeating Chinese grandmaster Wei Yi on the first board. In a battle between two players with almost the same rating, Gukesh emerged the winner in a game in which he initially had a slight advantage, but the Chinese GM fought back bravely and gained an advantage.
However, the pendulum swung again when Gukesh made some precise moves to regain the advantage and finally won the game in 80 moves in a difficult ending taking advantage of some weak moves by the Chinese.
The big news for Indian fans was that this round ended Arjun Erigaisi's 100 per cent winning record, although he remains undefeated after a draw with Bu Xiangzhi, who was once in the top 10.
R Praggnanandhaa drew with Yu Yangi, while Pentala Harikrishna, who replaced Vidit Gujarathi, drew with lower-rated Wang Yue.
In the women's section, the Indian team maintained its unbeaten streak with a seventh consecutive victory, beating a strong Georgia team.
Vaishali defeated international master Lela Javakhishvili with black pieces, while Vantika Agarwal beat the higher-rated Bella Khotenashvilli. On the first board, Dronavalli Harika tied with Nana Dzagnidze, while on the third board, Divya Deshmukh was held by Nino Batsiashvili. But Vaishali and Vartika's victories ensured that the Indians maintained their unbeaten streak.
Both the Indian men's and women's teams maintained their unbeaten streak, taking their tally to 14 points and remaining the sole leaders in the standings after seven rounds.
In the Open section, Uzbekistan, Iran and Hungary were back in contention by winning their respective matches. Iran defeated Vietnam, which had surprised China in the previous round, by 2.5 to 1.5, Hungary beat Lithuania by the same margin and Uzbekistan defeated Ukraine by 3 to 1.
However, when the action resumed after a day's rest, all eyes were on the clash between India and China. Fans' hopes of seeing World Championship final contenders Ding Liren and Gukesh fight before the mega clash in Singapore did not materialise. The Chinese team rested the reigning world champion in this round, and it seemed like a prudent move, especially after Ding Liren lost to Vietnam's Le Quang Liem in the sixth round.
Although he did not face the World Champion, Gukesh remained India's star by defeating Chinese grandmaster Wei Yi on the first board. In a battle between two players with almost the same rating, Gukesh emerged the winner in a game in which he initially had a slight advantage, but the Chinese GM fought back bravely and gained an advantage.
However, the pendulum swung again when Gukesh made some precise moves to regain the advantage and finally won the game in 80 moves in a difficult ending taking advantage of some weak moves by the Chinese.
The big news for Indian fans was that this round ended Arjun Erigaisi's 100 per cent winning record, although he remains undefeated after a draw with Bu Xiangzhi, who was once in the top 10.
R Praggnanandhaa drew with Yu Yangi, while Pentala Harikrishna, who replaced Vidit Gujarathi, drew with lower-rated Wang Yue.
In the women's section, the Indian team maintained its unbeaten streak with a seventh consecutive victory, beating a strong Georgia team.
Vaishali defeated international master Lela Javakhishvili with black pieces, while Vantika Agarwal beat the higher-rated Bella Khotenashvilli. On the first board, Dronavalli Harika tied with Nana Dzagnidze, while on the third board, Divya Deshmukh was held by Nino Batsiashvili. But Vaishali and Vartika's victories ensured that the Indians maintained their unbeaten streak.