Chess Olympiad 2026: India takes bronze in women’s category; retains Gaprindashvili Cup

Koneru Humpy registered an important victory on Board 1 against Nana Dzagnidze, which helped India eventually finish on the podium. | Photo Credit: FIDE/Flickr

India took bronze in the women’s event at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkhand. after a 2-2 draw against Georgia in the final round on Sunday.

The defending champion found itself in deep trouble with B. Savithra Shri, who has easily been the contingent’s standout player in this campaign, looked in a sticky spot against Meri Arabidze. The teenage however mounted a spirited defence, managing to salvage a draw. Koneru Humpy had already registered an important victory on Board 1 against Nana Dzagnidze, which helped India eventually finish on the podium.

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India was out of gold medal contention before this fixture began after China’s consistent run as the runaway leader with a cushion of two points at the top of the standings. India needed a win over Georgia to give Kazakhstan a fight for silver, but a draw pushed it to third spot.

India defended the Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy after finishing as the best overall nation after picking up a silver in the Open section and a bronze in the Women’s event.

India has won the trophy for three editions straight, having won it on home soil in Chennai in 2022, during its historic double gold campaign in Budapest in 2024 and now in Samarkand.