Sportstar·India·Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 03:00 PM

Chess Olympiad 2026: Indians make light work of lower-rated opponents in Round 1

Translate

Jayantho Sengupta _12462

D Gukesh and Koneru Humpy were among the Indian players to register victories in the opening round of the 2026 Chess Olympiad. | Photo Credit: Michal Walusza/FIDE

D Gukesh and Koneru Humpy were among the Indian players to register victories in the opening round of the 2026 Chess Olympiad. | Photo Credit: Michal Walusza/FIDE

India’s title defence at the 2026 Chess Olympiad got off to a smooth start in Samarkand on Wednesday, with the Women’s team completing a 4-0 win over the Dominican Republic, while the Open team was also firmly in control against Thailand.

Nihal, playing with Black against FM Thanadon Kulpruethanon, completed his victory in 28 moves. The 2718-rated Indian defeated his 2220-rated opponent after 28.Rxe5 brought the game to an end.

Vidit, also with the black pieces, needed 30 moves to beat Tupfah Khumnorkaew. The Thai player resigned after 30.Nxf2.

World champion Gukesh, playing White against Faris Rashid Alriyami, completed a 37-move victory. Gukesh, rated 2703 compared to his opponent’s 1909, wrapped up the game with 37.Rxg5.

ALSO READ | D. Gukesh — A champion in search of rhythm

R Praggnanandhaa was rested for the opening round, with India fielding Erigaisi, Nihal, Gukesh and Vidit on the four boards.

Women’s section

India completed a 4-0 sweep of the Dominican Republic, with Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, Vantika Agrawal and Savitha Shri B all winning their games.

R Vaishali beat Miguelina De La Rosa Martinez, and the women’s team beat the Dominican Republic 4-0.

R Vaishali beat Miguelina De La Rosa Martinez, and the women’s team beat the Dominican Republic 4-0. | Photo Credit: Rafal Oleksiewicz/FIDE

Humpy defeated WCM Franchesca Ramirez Luzon in 31 moves with White, while Vaishali, playing Black against Miguelina De La Rosa Martinez, also finished her game in 31 moves.

Savitha beat Karla Mya Nunez Diaz with Black in 38 moves, before Vantika completed the clean sweep with a victory over WFM Mary Loly Gonzalez Peguero.

Divya Deshmukh was rested for the first round, with Humpy, Vaishali, Vantika and Savitha forming India’s playing four.

Published on Sep 16, 2026

Latest on Sportstar

View the original on Sportstar →

KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.