India opened its campaign at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad with a 3-1 victory over Thailand in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Nihal Sarin was the first Indian to finish, beating Thanadon Kulpruethanon on board two. Gukesh then defeated Faris Rashid Alriyami on board three, while Vidit Gujrathi beat Tupfah Khumnorkaew on board four.
Arjun Erigaisi produced Thailand’s only point. Playing on the top board against 20-year-old International Master Prin Laohawirapap, Arjun lost despite having a rating of 2759 compared with his opponent’s 2363. Arjun had held the better position for much of the game before Laohawirapap turned the match around.
India entered the Open section as the second seed, with an average rating of 2735. Its average rating against Thailand was 2735, compared with Thailand’s 2180. The Indian lineup also included R Praggnanandhaa, who was rested for the opening round, while Gukesh moved to board three for the match.
The event is being held in Samarkand from September 16 to 27, with India defending the Open and Women’s titles it won in Budapest in 2024. The Open competition has 11 rounds, with teams allowed to field four players from their five-member squads in each round.
India’s women’s team also began with a victory, defeating the Dominican Republic 4-0. All four Indian players won their opening games. The 2026 Olympiad has 207 teams in the Open section and 191 in the Women’s section.
