Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Gukesh Drops to Board Four as Praggnanandhaa Leads India
India has chosen the playing order for its chess team at the Olympiad.
D Gukesh, the world champion, will play on board four.
R Praggnanandhaa will play on board one, Arjun Erigaisi on board two and Nihal Sarin on board three.
Vidit Gujrathi will be the reserve player.
Srinath Narayanan made this board assignment.
Players can move up only one board when a teammate rests.
Therefore, Gukesh can move to board three but not higher.
This means he cannot play Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan or Ding Liren of China in this tournament.
Humpy is reported to lead India’s women’s team.
D Gukesh will play on board four after representing India on the top board at the last two Olympiads.
R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin will occupy India’s first three boards.
Vidit Gujrathi has been named India’s reserve player for the 11-round tournament.
The Chess Olympiad begins Wednesday in Uzbekistan, with India’s women’s team also led by Humpy.
Because players can move up only one board when a teammate rests, Gukesh cannot face Javokhir Sindarov or Ding Liren.
- Who
- India’s chess team, including D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and reserve player Vidit Gujrathi; Humpy leads the women’s team.
- What
- India announced its board assignments for the Chess Olympiad, placing D Gukesh on board four.
- When
- The Chess Olympiad begins Wednesday and will consist of 11 rounds; Gukesh and Javokhir Sindarov are scheduled to meet in the World Chess Championship in November-December.
- Where
- The Olympiad is being hosted by Uzbekistan.
- Why
- Grandmaster Srinath Narayanan made the board assignments; the reports do not state his specific reason for placing Gukesh on board four.
- India’s board one
- R Praggnanandhaa
- Gukesh’s board
- Board four
- Other starting boards
- Arjun Erigaisi on board two and Nihal Sarin on board three
- Reserve player
- Vidit Gujrathi
- Tournament format
- 11 rounds
- Host country
- Uzbekistan
- Unavailable matchups
- Gukesh cannot face Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan or Ding Liren of China under these board assignments
- Women’s team
- Humpy leads India’s women’s team
