The repeat challenge: India’s historic bid to defend its crown at 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand

For the first time in seven decades, India is spared the burden of trying to improve upon its best-ever performance at a Chess Olympiad. Since making its debut in 1956 in what is widely considered the ultimate team competition in cerebral sport, India’s goal at the 2026 edition in Samarkand, Uzbekistan (starting September 15) is simple: match the absolute best.

Following its historic double-gold sweep in Budapest in 2024, India firmly cemented its status as a global chess superpower. Since that monumental triumph, Indian chess has scaled even greater heights. D Gukesh reigns as the world champion, Divya Deshmukh is a World Cup winner, and the nation stands just one short of boasting 100 Grandmasters.

While cynics argue that team chess is merely a collection of isolated individual results — given that players battle on their own boards without active assistance from teammates — India’s collective synergy is undeniable. An incredible influx of young talent propelled India from a consolation bronze in 2022 to double gold in 2024. Now, as defending champions, they carry the exhilarating pressure of a repeat performance.


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THE OPEN SECTION:

A FOUR-HORSE RACE

Going by the initial seedings, India is placed just behind rating-favourites USA, while heading the pack as top seeds in the women’s category.

INDIA

Key Players: R Praggnanandhaa,

D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin,

Vidit Gujrathi

Outlook: Defending Champions.

Possess immense firepower and luxury squad depth.

USA

Key Players: Fabiano Caruana,

Wesley So, Levon Aronian

Outlook: Top Seeds. Lacking Hikaru Nakamura (absent since 2018), they look beatable and remain the team to beat.

UZBEKISTAN

Key Players: Nodirbek Abdusattorov,

Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek

Yakubboev, Shamsiddin Vokhidov

Outlook: 2022 Champions. A dangerously young, elite squad playing with home-turf advantage.

CHINA

Key Players: Wei Yi, Ding Liren,

Yu Yangyi

Outlook: Heavyweights. Bringing their absolute best veterans to reclaim the ultimate prize.

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THE INDIAN STRATEGY

India’s lineup is pure luxury, though board order might see a tactical shakeup. While world champion Gukesh commanded the top board in the last two editions (winning back-to-back individual golds), his recent erratic form means he enters this tournament rated fourth within the team. He could realistically anchor the third or fourth board. Conversely, R Praggnanandhaa is in sizzling form after becoming the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour.

Arjun Erigaisi remains a mountain of consistency, Nihal Sarin makes a welcome return, and having a seasoned grandmaster like Vidit Gujrathi as the fifth player is an embarrassment of riches.

THE WOMEN’S SECTION: INDIA LEADS THE FIELD

Even with the absence of seasoned campaigner D Harika, India’s women’s squad looks every bit the deserving top seed. Board 1: The veteran Koneru Humpy brings invaluable top-board experience to steady the ship. Boards 2 & 3: Battle-ready Divya Deshmukh and World Championship challenger R Vaishali are expected to dominate the upper boards. Reserve/Lower Boards: Vantika Agrawal — a crucial gold-medallist on the lower boards in 2024 — and brilliant debutant B Savitha Shri round out a formidable team.

Former champions Georgia and Kazakhstan are heavily tipped for the podium. Meanwhile, perennial heavyweights China have opted to field a fresh, experimental squad of youngsters, dropping them to the fourth seed ahead of the USA and Ukraine.

A TRULY GLOBAL SPECTACLE

The 2026 Samarkand Olympiad is shattering records. While Russia remains absent for a third consecutive edition – this time due to its chess federation’s suspension – the event will feature a historic turnout: ? 205 nations in the Open section ?190 nations in the Women’s category ? 1,974 total players, including an astonishing 240 Grandmasters.

In an era of hyper-competitive global sports, India enters the arena not as a hopeful challenger, but as the empire defending its crown. These players have earned their place at the top — and they deserve every bit of support.