The Asian Nations Cup Chess Championship began at the Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan hotel with 20 countries competing for the right to represent Asia in the World Chess Team Championship.

When the tournament began, everybody knew that the race would eventually be contested between the two Asian superpowers. However, the waters were testing—in the very second round, the Mongols surprised the Indians. Says Adhiban,"At some point we really lost control. We were even very close to losing the match. You could have congratulated a different champion maybe." "It was a bit surprising for us. But the Mongolian chess players increased their level lately and they were very strong when playing against us. I was also playing in that round and I saw the games. I think we are actually lucky to have made a draw," Vidit recounted.

With renewed winds in their sails, the team then punched victory after victory, even overcoming China, the main rival. After that, it was a matter of doing the needful and winning the remaining games against much weaker opposition. "Once we beat China, we knew it was a tournament for us to win or lose. Every player understood the responsibility and did not let it reach the extent that it becomes a burden," commented coach R.B. Ramesh.

The ninth (final) round saw the leaders India take on the Vietnamese, with even a draw assuring the title. India won against them comfortably with a margin of 3-1 and clinch the title