Sportstar·India·Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 03:23 PM

Chess Olympiad 2026: India beats Thailand 3-1 despite Arjun upset; women complete 4-0 sweep in Round 1

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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

Most of India’s opening-round assignment against Thailand went according to the ratings, with Gukesh, Nihal and Vidit registering wins against lower-rated opponents.

The exception came on the top board, where the 2759-rated Arjun, playing with White, lost to Thailand’s 2363-rated IM Prin Laohawirapap in 54 moves.

Laohawirapap stayed in the contest and gradually put Arjun under pressure before taking control in the closing phase. With Arjun’s king exposed, the Thai player used his queen and rook to deliver a series of checks and keep the Indian on the defensive.

The game ended after 54.Re3+, completing a significant upset given the 396-point rating difference between the two players.

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

Nihal, meanwhile, playing with Black against FM Thanadon Kulpruethanon, completed his victory in 28 moves. The 2718-rated Indian finished the game after 28.Rxe5.

Vidit, also with the black pieces, needed 30 moves to beat Tupfah Khumnorkaew, with the game ending after 30.Nxf2.

World champion Gukesh, playing White against Faris Rashid Alriyami, completed a 37-move victory. Gukesh wrapped up the game with 37.Rxg5 as India secured the three wins needed for a 3-1 victory.

R Praggnanandhaa was rested for the opening round, with India fielding Arjun, Nihal, Gukesh and Vidit.

Women’s section

India had no such trouble in the Women’s event, completing a 4-0 victory over the Dominican Republic.

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 opening round, with Humpy, Vaishali, Vantika and Savitha forming India’s playing four.

India entered the Olympiad as the defending champion in both sections after winning the Open and Women’s gold medals at the 2024 edition in Budapest.

Published on Sep 16, 2026

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