Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Anand Says Praggnanandhaa May Lead India At Chess Olympiad
India must decide which chess player will play on its first board.
Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi are possible choices.
Viswanathan Anand said Praggnanandhaa is a tempting choice for board one.
Anand does not help make the decision.
He said captain Srinath may discuss the order with the players.
The players are described as willing to accept the team’s decision.
Arjun has previously shown that he is comfortable playing lower down the lineup.
He played on board three at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.
Viswanathan Anand expects Praggnanandhaa could be placed on India’s first board.
Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi are among the board-one contenders.
Anand said he has no role in selecting India’s board order.
Non-playing captain Srinath is expected to consult players before deciding the lineup.
Arjun Erigaisi played board three for India at the 2024 Olympiad.
- Who
- India’s chess team, including Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi; Viswanathan Anand commented on the selection.
- What
- India is preparing to decide its board order, especially who will play on board one.
- When
- The decision concerns the upcoming Chess Olympiad; Anand discussed it in an interview on Saturday.
- Why
- The lineup must determine which of India’s leading players will take the first board.
- Main contenders
- Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi
- Likely board-one choice
- Anand said it is very tempting to place Praggnanandhaa on board one.
- Anand’s role
- He said he is not involved in selecting India’s board order.
- Team captain
- Srinath is India’s non-playing captain.
- Previous lineup
- Arjun Erigaisi played board three at the 2024 Olympiad.
- Player consultations
- Anand said Srinath likely discusses the order with the players.