D Gukesh came back and won in Round 9 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad on 25th September 2026 against Alexander Donchenko in Berlin (Germany). In the beginning he was in trouble and was starting to lose because he was trapped and could not come back and he had to defend to win it.
Gukesh’s victory proved crucial as India defeated Germany 2.5-1.5 in the Open section of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Donchenko Holds the Advantage
The game between Gukesh and Donchenko became one of the biggest talking points of the ninth round because the Indian was in serious trouble for a large part of the encounter.
Donchenko, playing for Germany, set up well and appeared to have the advantage needed to defeat the reigning world champion. ChessBase notes that Donchenko had the win in his grip before the game suddenly shifted.
Instead of giving up, Gukesh continued searching for practical chances. His persistence did create some problems for Donchenko.
Gukesh Finds a Way Back
The turning point came when Donchenko was unable to convert his advantage. Gukesh took his opportunity and gradually changed the character of the position.
According to Chess.com, Gukesh was in a “clearly losing position” before he made his comeback. The Indian ultimately won the game, and it was a turnaround that was decisive for the team.
The game lasted 54 moves, according to the Indian Express report, and the comeback was a remarkable turnaround from an almost certain defeat.
You have to watch this 2-minute video of the game between World Champion D Gukesh and Alexander Donchenko. What drama - just look at the expressions of both the players in the final moments! pic.twitter.com/Qvx9l6rkyH
— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) September 25, 2026
India Beat Germany 2.5-1.5
Gukesh’s victory came at a critical moment for India. With the other games providing no decisive advantage for either side for much of the match, his result was the difference between the teams.
India finally secured a 2.5-1.5 victory against Germany, and thus another important team win in the tournament.
The win also took India to 15 match points after nine rounds with the victory and leaves the defending champions second to Uzbekistan in the Open lead.
Why the Win Matters
Gukesh's own individual victory was an important one not just because of the comeback but also because it affected India’s tournament campaign.
The 2026 Chess Olympiad will hold 11 rounds and India will defend its title. India remained in the top group after nine rounds and only had two more rounds left to complete its campaign.
India's next round 10 match is against Uzbekistan 2 on September 26. The last round will follow on September 27.
Gukesh’s victory over Donchenko was another example of the importance of staying in a game even after getting involved in serious trouble. What looked like a German victory for most of the contest eventually became a crucial Indian win.
The dramatic comeback therefore became one of the defining moments of India's ninth-round victory in Samarkand.
