New Delhi: India opened their campaign at the Chess Olympiad with a victory on September 16, while attention was drawn to a difficult outing for Arjun Erigaisi on the top board.
World champion D Gukesh produced a convincing performance on Board 4, defeating Faris Rashid Alriyami in his opening assignment. His result contributed to India’s positive start in the team competition.
Arjun, who featured on Board 1, faced a tougher contest and was unable to secure the desired result. His game highlighted the demanding nature of the tournament, where leading players are required to navigate intense battles from the opening round.
The Indian contingent enters the competition with considerable expectations following the country’s strong performances in recent international team events. The presence of Gukesh and other established players has added further interest to India’s campaign.
The tournament features leading chess players and teams from across the world, with every round offering important opportunities to build momentum in the standings.
India will now look to maintain their early momentum in the upcoming rounds as the competition progresses.