46th Chess Olympiad Samarkand: India Defends Gold
Why in the news
The biennial team chess event began in Uzbekistan, and the Indian squads arrived as reigning champions in both sections.
Key facts
- Edition and venue: 46th Chess Olympiad, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
- India’s seeding: second; USA is top seed.
- Defending title: double gold at Budapest 2024 (45th), a historic first.
- Captain and non-playing coach: Srinath Narayanan.
- Women’s team: led by Koneru Humpy.
Men’s board order
| Board | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Praggnanandhaa |
| 2 | Arjun Erigaisi |
| 3 | Nihal Sarin |
| 4 | Gukesh |
Related chess facts
- Gukesh: world champion in 2024 at age 18, the youngest ever, after beating Ding Liren.
- Divya Deshmukh took the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025.
About the Olympiad
- FIDE organises it from Lausanne, Switzerland; it recurs every two years.
Exam angle
- Who captains India: Srinath Narayanan.
- India’s ranking in the draw: second seed.
- Host city: Samarkand.