Archive · 15 Sep 2026
India Defend Both Chess Olympiad Titles in Samarkand
India is going to the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand to defend two gold medals.
The Indian men won their event at the previous Olympiad in Budapest, and the women won theirs too.
World champion D Gukesh is one of the leaders of the men’s team.
He has not been in his best form recently and hopes to improve before his world championship match.
R Praggnanandhaa has been playing very well and recently won the Grand Chess Tour.
The women’s team is led by Koneru Humpy and includes Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali.
Some important players, including D Harika and Tania Sachdev, are not in the women’s lineup this time.
The United States, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Kazakhstan could challenge India, but India starts as the favorite.
India’s men’s and women’s teams will defend the gold medals they won at the 2024 Olympiad in Budapest.
World champion D Gukesh and in-form R Praggnanandhaa lead a men’s squad also featuring Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi and Nihal Sarin.
Gukesh has experienced a dip in form, while Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour.
Koneru Humpy leads a women’s team that includes Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali, with D Harika and Tania Sachdev absent.
The United States, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Kazakhstan are identified as potential challengers, but India is favored in both sections.
- Who
- India’s men’s team, led by D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa, and its women’s team, led by Koneru Humpy.
- What
- They will compete to defend India’s men’s and women’s Chess Olympiad titles.
- When
- The 46th Chess Olympiad is scheduled for September; Gukesh’s World Championship match is expected in November.
- Where
- Samarkand, Uzbekistan; the previous Olympiad was held in Budapest, Hungary.
- Why
- India is defending the two gold medals it won at the previous Olympiad and is favored in both sections.
India’s Favorable Position
Challengers’ Opportunities
Tournament favorites
India’s Favorable Position
India is the defending champion in both sections, is the top-seeded women’s team and is considered a clear favorite to retain both titles.
Challengers’ Opportunities
The United States and Uzbekistan are expected to challenge India in the men’s section, while Georgia and Kazakhstan could threaten India in the women’s event.
Men’s team outlook
India’s Favorable Position
Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi and Nihal Sarin give India a formidable lineup.
Challengers’ Opportunities
Gukesh has had a significant dip in form, and Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov is identified as a serious rival who will challenge him in the World Championship later this year.
Women’s team changes
India’s Favorable Position
Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali provide considerable strength, and India remains the top seed.
Challengers’ Opportunities
The absence of D Harika and Tania Sachdev means the women’s squad is different from the previous title-winning team.
- Event
- 46th Chess Olympiad
- Location
- Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- Defending champions
- India won gold in both the Open and women’s sections at the 2024 Olympiad in Budapest.
- Men’s leaders
- D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa
- Men’s squad
- Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi and Nihal Sarin also feature.
- Women’s leader
- Koneru Humpy
- Women’s lineup
- Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali are included; D Harika and Tania Sachdev are absent.
- Main challengers
- The United States, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Kazakhstan are identified as potential threats.
