New Delhi, Sep 17 : India began its campaign at the 2026 Chess Olympiad with a 3-1 victory over Thailand, although the defending champions were forced to overcome an unexpected setback on the top board.
World champion D Gukesh secured a win for India, while Arjun Erigaisi suffered a surprise defeat against a lower rated opponent. The result nevertheless gave India a winning start in the team competition.
Arjun’s defeat was one of the major talking points from the opening round, as the Indian star was expected to face less difficulty against his opponent. His result increased the importance of the remaining boards, where India managed to secure enough victories to claim the match.
Gukesh’s successful outing provided a significant boost to the Indian team as it began its title defence. India are among the leading contenders in the competition after winning the previous Olympiad.
The tournament brings together national teams featuring many of the world’s leading players. With several rounds still remaining, India will look to maintain consistency across all four boards and build a strong position in the standings.
The early victory gives the Indian team a positive foundation, while the performance of its leading players will remain closely watched in the rounds ahead.