USA hits back, draws level with India
The Hindu
Russia beats China, moves into final
India destroyed USA 5-1 in the opening set but a resurgent USA hit right back to win the second 4-2 to force the blitz tie-breaker in the second semifinals of the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad on Tuesday.
In the first semifinal, Russia expectedly defeated second seed China in two sets. After getting past 3.5-2.5 in the first set, Russia made it more easily in the second and finished with a 4-2 triumph.
Needing only a draw to advance in the second set, India looked on course after D. Harika and R. Vaishali held clear advantages to more than offset the signs of worry faced by Viswanathan Anand. But suddenly, Anand blundered on the 33rd move and went on to suffer his first loss, helping Jeffery Xiong avenge the defeat suffered in the first set.