With India going to the 2026 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan to defend Open and Women’s team titles won at the 2024 Olympiad in Budapest, it is difficult to make progress. The prestigious team competition brings together the biggest chess nations of the world and brings together some of the most famous names of this game.
Chess Olympiad begins in Samarkand.
The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad will be held in Samarkand from September 15 to September 27, 2026. The opening ceremony will be held on September 15 and the first competitive match will be held on September 16. There will be 11 rounds with a rest day on September 22.
The event brings together hundreds of national teams in Open and Women's competitions. As World Chess reported, 400 teams (208 in the Open and 192 in the Women's) have been announced for the 2026 edition.
India enters the field as defending champion.
India made history at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest by winning gold in the Open and Women's sections. Thus the 2026 tournament represents a title defence in two competitions.
The Indian Open team consists of D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi, and Srinath Narayanan as captain. Gukesh’s presence is especially significant as the Indian holds the world title.
The women's team includes Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal and Savitha Shri B, with Swayams Mishra as the captain.
Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali in Focus
Several Indian players arrive in Samarkand with much attention. Praggnanandhaa has enjoyed a fantastic 2026 season with a victory at Norway Chess while Vaishali comes into the tournament after winning the Women's Candidates Tournament earlier this year.
Gukesh also has a big year ahead with the World Chess Championship in a couple of weeks. The Olympiad represents another major international team challenge for the reigning world champion.
A Strong International Field
India will face competition from established chess teams like the United States, host Uzbekistan, China and a few other players as well. The United States was the provisional top seed by average rating and India and Uzbekistan also among the leading teams.
Host Uzbekistan adds a third major narrative, with Uzbekistan's young team going to compete on home soil as well. The country won gold at the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai, and bronze in Budapest in 2024.
