SAMARKAND, September 25. /Dunyo IA/.   The 46^th World Chess Olympiad has entered its decisive phase: with 8 out of 11 rounds completed, the contention for medal positions is intensifying, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

In Round 8, Uzbekistan-1 team, comprising Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Yakubboev and Shamsiddin Vokhidov, faced the national team of Germany.

On the top board, Nodirbek Abdusattorov drew against Vincent Keymer. While Javokhir Sindarov secured a victory over Matthias Bluebaum, Nodirbek Yakubboev and Shamsiddin Vokhidov suffered defeats against Frederik Svane and Rasmus Svane respectively. Consequently, Germany defeated Uzbekistan with a score of 2.5:1.5.

Following Round 8, Uzbekistan-1 retained its first-place standing in the tournament table with 14 points. Germany also accumulated 14 points, occupying the second position based on tie-break criteria. The teams of China, the Netherlands, the United States, Azerbaijan, India, France, Armenia and Uzbekistan-2 have each gathered 13 points.

Round 8 concluded successfully for the Uzbekistan-1 women's team. The squad, consisting of Afruza Khamdamova, Umida Omonova, Nilufarkhon Imamkuzieva, and Guldona Karimova, defeated the representatives of the Netherlands with a score of 3:1. This result further strengthened the prospects of the Uzbekistan women's team in contending for podium finishes.

Prior to Round 9, Chinese women's team led the standings with 15 points. Kazakhstan, Armenia and Mongolia each accumulated 14 points, while India, Uzbekistan-1, and Georgia gathered 13 points apiece.

Matches of Round 9 of the Olympiad will be contested today. The Uzbekistan-1 men's team will face the United States, while the women's team will compete against India.

In the men's section, Uzbekistan-2 will face the Netherlands, while Uzbekistan-3 will compete against Kyrgyzstan.

In the women's tournament, Uzbekistan-2 will play against Iceland and Uzbekistan-3 will face Italy.

Olympiad will continue until September 27^th. Three rounds of matches remain until the conclusion of the tournament.