CHESS

Armenia had a narrow lead over the top seeded US at halfway in the 180-nation, $10m Chennai Olympiad. The event’s stunning ambience, eager fans and opulent playing conditions reflect India’s ambition to make August 2022 a landmark moment towards its goal of surpassing the three established chess superpowers, the US, Russia and China.

The state of Tamil Nadu and its chief minister, MK Stalin, approved a $10m budget that dwarfs any other chess event. Familiar name? The politician was born in 1953, and when Joseph Stalin died four days later, the baby’s father decided what to call his son.

The Olympiad has 1,700 players and thousands of support staff, ranging from

3827 This classic Lord Dunsany puzzle is a game position after Black’s fourth turn. What were the previous moves? live-board technicians to anti-cheating friskers. Hundreds of children from all over India are being provided with food, travel and accommodation to visit the Olympiad.

The standout first half team was India 2, with its average age of 19 and its iconic top board, Gukesh D (as he is now invariably called, rather than Dommaraju Gukesh).

Gukesh, 16, has been in stellar form in 2022, and his rating has shot past the elite 2700 mark, a feat achieved younger only by Wei Yi, Magnus Carlsen, and Alireza Firouzja.

Kxe8. Bxe8 4 c6! Bxd7! 3 Ke7! Bb5 2 e6 e4 1 3827 a b c d e f g h