Indian men lose to US; women log fourth win

Fabiano Caruana proved why he has won a right to challenge Magnus Carlsen in the World Championship match later this year. Sadly, it came at the expense of Indian icon Viswanathan Anand, the multiple world champion.
Riding on Caruana's 26-move win, top seeds USA won 2.5-1.5 against India in the fourth round of Chess Olympiad at Batumi, Gerogia, on Thursday. P Harikrishna, Vidit Gujrathi and K Sasikiran had done their bit of drawing their games against higherrated players against the defending champions.But Anand succumbed against the player in form.
Indian women scored 3-1 win over Poland for their fourth successive success. Though K Humpy failed to convert a seemingly better position against Monika Socko, D Harika scored a win with black pieces. Tania Sachdev also scored a full point after being rested in the earlier match. Eesha Karavade drew her game.
India are fifth seeds in both sections in this 11-round Swiss League meet. A defeat will give Indian men a weaker opponent in the next round, thus avoiding second successive strong opponents. But if they drop points in the next two match-ups, their hope to be in contention for the gold will be severely dented.
Results (white named first) Men: USA bt India 2.5-1.5: F Caruana bt V Anand; P Harikrishna drew with W So; H Nakamura drew with V Gujrathi; K Sasikiran drew with Shankland.
Women: K Humpy drew with M Socko; J Zawadzka lost to D Harika; T Sachdev bt K Kulon; A Warakomska drew with E Karavade.