D Gukesh: It was my idea to play Board 4 in Chess Olympiad 2026

“If the team needs it, I would even rest all the games. We are here playing for India, and there’s no player bigger than the country. So I’m just happy to do whatever it takes for the team to do well,” said Gukesh. | Photo Credit: Michal Walusza / FIDE

Reigning world champion D Gukesh said that it was his idea to take up the fourth board for the India Open team in the ongoing Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand.

In the previous edition of the Olympiad, Gukesh won the individual gold medal on the top board, scoring 9 points in 10 games as India won the Open title.

But heading into this edition, Gukesh’s form was a point of concern, which was duly reflected in the Indian board order. R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin were slotted in the top three boards, while Gukesh took up the fourth.

Gukesh explained that this was a decision made to ensure that India has the best chance of defending the title.

“I mean, it’s pretty clear that Pragg and Arjun have been in really good shape. Also, the ratings say the same. And yeah, it was my idea. And the whole team, we all thought the same — that this is the order that gives us the best chance of winning the tournament,” said Gukesh in an interview with FIDE.

Gukesh also emphasised that he doesn’t care about the image perception this decision creates.

“About the look of the world champion playing on board four, I think, if the team needs it, I would even rest all the games. We are here playing for India, and there’s no player bigger than the country. So I’m just happy to do whatever it takes for the team to do well,” he added.

Gukesh had also suffered a setback during the tournament, after he slipped below the 2700 mark in the live classical ratings for the first time in four years following a draw against Indonesia’s IM Satria Duta Cahaya in Round 2.

The Indian GM applauded Cahaya’s defensive skills. “I wouldn’t really consider yesterday a disappointment, because it was just a very good game by both sides, I think. And my opponent defended well, so sometimes you can’t do anything.”

On Friday, Gukesh beat Italian GM Sabino Brunello to lift his live rating past 2700 once again.

India has won all its ties in the Open section so far, but has suffered a few glaring missteps, with the most prominent being Erigaisi’s loss in the opening round. Gukesh highlighted the pre-tournament logistical troubles for his teammate’s defeat.

“I think it’s worth mentioning that we had a very hectic travel and then the first day, there were some organisation issues. So Arjun got a room probably a few hours before the event. We all waited for like six hours to get a room. So obviously, the first round, Arjun, he was just tired and he blundered in the end,” explained Gukesh.