India’s Chess Olympiad Quest 2026: Can the Titans Replicate Budapest Glory?

It feels surreal – just two years ago we were still basking in the flood of photographs from Budapest, where India’s men and women lifted glittering medals together. The memory still sparks a flutter whenever a chess board is set up.

Now the 46th Chess Olympiad is about to kick off in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Like the Davis Cup for tennis or the Thomas Cup for badminton, this is the biggest team showdown in chess, with 208 nations battling in the open section and 191 in the women’s.

India enters the fray as a clear favourite in both categories, even though a few things have shifted since Budapest. The open line‑up still boasts the prodigy D. Gukesh – the youngest ever World Champion – but his recent form has been a bit erratic. He’s not the unstoppable force he was in the last two Olympiads, yet his past performance on board‑one, including an individual gold, reminds everyone he can still turn the tide.

On the brighter side, R. Praggnanandhaa arrives in Samarkand humming. The teenager has been on a winning streak that would make most seniors blush, and his confidence should lift the whole team. Joining him are Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gupta – a balanced blend of experience and youthful energy.

Across the board, the United States, seeded first, will be the men’s side’s biggest hurdle, while host nation Uzbekistan brings the dangerous Javokhir Sindarov, who will also meet Gukesh later in a World Championship bout. Still, the Indian open squad sits comfortably at the second seed.

The women’s team, meanwhile, enjoys the top seed and a morale boost with the return of Koneru Humpy. The former world‑champion’s calm demeanor and battle‑tested skill are invaluable, especially after she missed the Budapest event. Young talents Divya Deshmukh and R. Vaishali are expected to add firepower, while Vantika Agrawal hopes for another steady showing. The 19‑year‑old B. Savitha Shri makes her debut, a reminder that fresh faces are always in the mix.

Still, the competition will be fierce. Georgia, Kazakhstan and China all field strong women’s squads that could challenge India’s dominance. The Olympiad will run 11 rounds under the Swiss system, wrapping up on September 27.

All told, Indian chess fans have plenty to look forward to. Whether the team can replicate the double‑gold magic of Budapest remains to be seen, but the blend of seasoned veterans and hungry youngsters makes the odds look promising.