The Uzbeks, including world championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov, won their first seven matches before a surprise loss to Germany.
After eight of the 11 rounds in the 400-team Olympiad in Samarkand, the host team Uzbekistan share the lead in the race for the gold medals, despite a round eight loss to co-leaders Germany and scope for more upsets in the remaining three rounds.
England have lost twice, first to the No 2 seeds India, then in a shock against Uzbekistan’s second team, while England women have performed well, with 11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan beaten only once on top board.
Leaders after eight of the 11 rounds: Open: 1-2 Uzbekistan and Germany 14/16, 3-10 China, Netherlands, Azerbaijan, United States, India, France, Armenia and Uzbekistan 2 all 13. England’s hopes were hit in yesterday’s eighth round by a 1.5-2.5 loss to Uzbekistan’s second team.
Then, their squad included just one international master. In Wednesday’s round seven match, which India won 2.5-1.5, all four of them were grandmasters.
After five rounds Uzbekistan had shared the lead with India and Germany, all on maximum points. When Uzbekistan and India were paired together it was a match. Uzbekistan had won gold at Chennai 2022, while India had triumphed at Budapest 2024.
The top ninth round pairings on Friday are Uzbekistan v United States and India v Germany.
Erdogmus has jumped to world No 18 in the live ratings, and is on a similar schedule to Bobby Fischer in 1958-59.