Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Gukesh Saves India’s Gold Hopes in Chess Olympiad Round 9
India played Germany in the ninth round of the 2026 Chess Olympiad.
The match was very close, and three games ended in draws.
D Gukesh looked likely to lose his game, but he fought back for 54 moves and changed the result.
His win gave India a 2.5-1.5 team victory.
This kept India in the race for the men’s gold medal.
India’s women also had a strong day against Uzbekistan.
Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal won their games, while Koneru Humpy and Savitha Shri B drew.
Both Indian teams are now in second place with two rounds left.
D Gukesh produced a 54-move comeback to help India defeat Germany 2.5-1.5.
Nihal Sarin drew with Frederik Svane, while R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi also drew.
Germany had previously upset top-seeded United States and tournament-favorite Uzbekistan.
India’s women defeated hosts Uzbekistan 3-1, with wins by Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal.
With two rounds remaining, both Indian teams are second and still pursuing gold medals.
- Who
- India’s men’s and women’s chess teams, Germany, Uzbekistan, D Gukesh, and other named players.
- What
- India’s men defeated Germany 2.5-1.5, while the women beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Round 9.
- When
- Round 9 of the 2026 Chess Olympiad, with two rounds remaining.
- Where
- Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
- Why
- Gukesh’s comeback secured the men’s match victory and kept India’s gold-medal hopes alive; the women’s win strengthened their position before facing China.
- Men’s result
- India defeated Germany 2.5-1.5.
- Gukesh’s comeback
- D Gukesh turned a seemingly lost position into a win after 54 moves.
- Women’s result
- India defeated Uzbekistan 3-1.
- Indian women’s winners
- Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal won their games.
- Standings
- Both Indian teams are in second place after nine rounds.
- Remaining rounds
- Two rounds remain in the Olympiad.
- Next men’s match
- India will face Uzbekistan’s B team.
- Next women’s match
- India will face leaders China in a potential gold-medal decider.