Hangzhou: Second-ranked India women’s team defeated Vietnam 2.5-1.5 in the second round of the Asian Games chess on Saturday. Top seed India had to draw 2-2 with mighty Uzbekistan in the men’s category on Saturday.
In the women’s category, Vaishali Rameshbabu (Pragyananda’s older sister) gave India its first win by defeating Vietnam’s Vo Thi Kim Phung on the second board.
Vantika Agarwal and Savitasree Bhaaska shared points with the opponents in the remaining boards including Koneru Hampi in the first board.
In the men’s category, Gukesh managed to share the points with strongman Nodrikbek Abdusattarov on the first board. Although Pragyanand had a slight edge against Jaokhir Sindharov, he had to settle for a ‘draw’ without being able to convert it into a win.
