Chess Olympiad 2026 Preview: India looks to repeat the trick in Samarkand

The 46th edition of the biggest team event in chess – similar to the Davis Cup or the Thomas Cup – starts in Samarkand on Wednesday. In the fray are 208 in the open section and 191 in the women’s. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Time flies.

It has been two years since those beautiful images from Budapest caught India’s imagination — the country’s young chess players, men and women, posing for photographs after their twin successes at the Chess Olympiad. It was one of the greatest days in the country’s sporting history.

Chess Olympiad is an event as huge and competitive as the name suggests. It is even bigger this time.

The 46th edition of the biggest team event in chess – similar to the Davis Cup or the Thomas Cup – starts in Samarkand on Wednesday. In the fray are 208 in the open section and 191 in the women’s.

India is certainly among the favourites in both categories, despite some squad changes and a big dip in form from one of the key players. There is no denying that D. Gukesh’s performance since becoming the youngest World champion has raised concerns. That, however, doesn’t mean he cannot regain his form.

Remember, he was an absolute beast on the top for India in the last two Olympiads. He was brilliant against some of the world’s strongest players and won the individual gold medal in the top board.

Gukesh may not be going into the Olympiad in perfect shape, but R. Praggnanandhaa is. He has been winning just about everything. India will also bank heavily on Arjun Eriagaisi. Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi, who complete the team.

The host, Uzbekistan, which features two of the world’s best young players – Javokhir Sindarov (Gukesh’s opponent in the upcoming World Championship match), and the United States, the top seed, could be India’s strongest rivals. The Indian men are seeded second.

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Meanwhile, the Indian women are seeded first. The return of Koneru Humpy, an all-time great in the women’s game, has strengthened the team. Her class and experience should help. She hadn’t played in Budapest, and told Sportstar how excited she was to play in this Olympiad and help her team try to defend the title.

India needs Divya Deshmukh and R. Vaishali, two young women who have been gaining in strength, to perform well, too. Vantika Agrawal should be hoping for another solid show for India, while the 19-year-old B. Savitha Shri is making her debut.

India could face strong challenges from the likes of Georgia, Kazakhstan and China in the women’s section.

The tournament, to be played over 11 rounds in the Swiss system, concludes on September 27.