Defending champions India faced a mixed bag of results in their opening matches of the FIDE Olympiad 2026. The Indian men’s team secured a 3-1 victory over Thailand, but the win was marred by a surprising loss from top player Arjun Erigaisi.
Men’s and Women’s Team Performance
In the Open section of the competition, India’s notable player R Praggnanandhaa was rested, which led Arjun to take on the first board against Thailand’s Prin Laohawirapap. In a setback for the team, Arjun lost his match. Nihal Sarin, playing on board 2, contributed positively by winning against Thanadon Kulpruethanon, providing the team with their first point of the match. Gukesh Dommaraju followed suit with a convincing victory against Faris Rashid Alriyami, and Vidit Gujrathi rounded off the results by securing a win against Tupfah Khumnorkaew. Despite the positive outcomes from these matches, India’s overall performance in the round could be impacted by Arjun’s defeat, which may factor into their final standings as the tournament progresses.
Uzbekistan showcased a dominant performance in their opening round of the Open section, winning 4-0 against Jamaica. India’s victory was relatively secure, yet the USA’s results also reflected some minor setbacks, with Levon Aronian drawing against Iraq’s Ali Ehsan Aryan.
India’s Results in Round 1 – Open Section
- India 3-1 Thailand
- Arjun Erigaisi 0-1 Prin Laohawirapap
- Nihal Sarin 1-0 Thanadon Kulpruethanon
- Gukesh Dommaraju 1-0 Faris Rashid Alriyami
- Vidit Gujrathi 1-0 Tupfah Khumnorkaew
In contrast, the Indian women’s team delivered a flawless performance, sweeping the Dominican Republic with a 4-0 victory. Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, and Savitha Shri Baskar won their matches without difficulty. Vantika Agrawal faced a tougher game on board 3 but ultimately capitalized on an error by her opponent, Mary Gonzalez, allowing her to secure victory through a pawn promotion.
India’s Results in Round 1 – Women’s Section
- India 4-0 Dominican Republic
- Koneru Humpy 1-0 Franchesca Ramirez
- R Vaishali 1-0 Miguelina De La Rosa Martinez
- Vantika Agrawal 1-0 Mary Gonzalez
- Savita Shri Baskar 1-0 Karla Mya Nunez Diaz
Why It Matters
The outcomes of these opening matches are critical as the FIDE Olympiad progresses. While the men’s team will need to address their performance issues to remain competitive, the women’s team has started strong, signaling their intent to defend their title effectively.
