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Arjun Erigaisi Stumbles as India Start Chess Olympiad With Win
India began the 2026 Chess Olympiad with a team win.
However, Arjun Erigaisi lost his individual game.
He played on the first board because R Praggnanandhaa did not play that round.
Arjun faced Thailand’s Prin Laohawirapap.
Arjun had the white pieces and strong winning chances.
But he made mistakes in the endgame.
His exchange of pieces gave up his advantage, and he eventually lost.
The result was surprising because Laohawirapap had a much lower classical chess rating.
India won its opening round at the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
Arjun Erigaisi lost on Board 1 to Thailand’s IM Prin Laohawirapap.
Laohawirapap was rated 2363, nearly 400 classical-rating points below Arjun.
R Praggnanandhaa sat out the opening round, leaving Arjun on the top board.
Arjun’s advantage faded after he traded his light-squared bishop and a rook for Black’s knight and rook pair by move 29.
- Who
- India, Arjun Erigaisi, Thailand’s IM Prin Laohawirapap, and R Praggnanandhaa.
- What
- India won its opening round, while Arjun Erigaisi suffered a loss on Board 1.
- Where
- Samarkand.
- When
- The opening round of the 2026 Chess Olympiad.
- Why
- Arjun lost after his advantage faded in the endgame; the article also said exhaustion from recent events appeared to affect him.
Key facts
- Event
- 2026 Chess Olympiad
- Location
- Samarkand
- Round
- Opening round
- India’s result
- Team win
- Board 1 result
- Arjun Erigaisi lost to Prin Laohawirapap
- Laohawirapap’s rating
- 2363
- Opening
- Colle System
- Critical moment
- By move 29, Arjun had traded a light-squared bishop and a rook for Black’s knight and rook pair.
Sources
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