World Team Chess: After a draw in the first round, India lost to Uzbekistan in the semi-finals, to face Spain for the third place

India went down 1-3 to Uzbekistan in the semi-finals of the FIDE World Team Chess Championship here on Friday. Both the teams were tied 2-2 after the first round. SL Narayanan got India off to a good start with an impressive win over Shamsidin Vokhidov playing the black pieces but SP Sethuraman lost against Zakhongir Vokhidov. Vidit Santosh Gujrati and Nordirbek Yakubboev, as well as Nihal Sarin and Javokhir Sindharov, ended in a draw.

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Gujrathi and Sarin lost in the second round to Yakubboev and Sindharov, respectively. Narayanan defeated 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. In the other semi-final, China beat Spain 3–1. The Indian team will face Spain for the third place.