NEW DELHI: Defending champion India has named a strong men’s and women’s squad for the FIDE Chess Olympiad, with world champion D Gukesh, in-form R Praggnanandhaa and women’s champion candidate R Vaishali leading India’s bid for the two-team event to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from September 16-27. The biathlon team competition championship will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from September 16 to 27.India made history by winning the Open and Women’s Team gold medals for the first time at the 2024 Chess Olympiad, with the announced line-up reflecting the country’s determination to successfully defend the double title.The men’s team will consist of D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi and will be captained by experienced coach Srinath Narayanan. Sarin is the only new face on the 2024 Open Championship team.The women’s team consists of Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal and Savitha Shri B and is captained by Swayams Mishra. Hampi and Savisha replace two members of last year’s gold medal-winning squad, strengthening an already strong lineup.
Praggnanandhaa’s performance, Vaishali’s rise boost India’s hopes
The Indian team has a mix of proven champions as well as players who have been in great form of late.Praggnanandhaa enters the Olympiad with confidence after winning the prestigious Norwegian Chess Championship in June. The 20-year-old produced one of the best performances of his career, defeating world number one Magnus Carlsen and world champion Gukesh to win the title.Meanwhile, Gukesh will be keen to rediscover his best form after a disappointing performance at the recently concluded Chennai Masters, where he finished bottom of the table with just two points after losing three out of seven matches.On the women’s side, Vaishali has emerged as one of India’s brightest stars. Earlier this year, she became the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s Candidates Championship, earning the right to challenge China’s Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Championship.Former world speedboat champion Humpy brings a wealth of experience to the team after missing India’s 2024 Olympics, while reigning Women’s World Cup champions Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal further add to the depth of the squad.
Indian team participates Chess Olympiad 2026
- Open: D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, Vidit Gujrathi
- Captain: Srinath Narayanan
- female: Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, Savitha Shri B
- Captain: Swayams Mishra
Viswanathan Anand Takes over as interim president of FIDE
Another major development in Indian chess is the appointment of five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand as interim president of FIDE following the temporary resignation of current FIDE interim president Arkady Dvorkovich.Dvorkovic, who was recently placed on an EU sanctions list related to the Russia-Ukraine war, announced that he would suspend the exercise of his powers while the decision was contested.According to FIDE’s statutes, Anand, who has served as vice president of the governing body since 2022, will automatically serve as interim president until Dvorkovic’s status changes.The appointment marks another landmark moment for Indian chess, with one of India’s greatest players now heading the sport’s global governing body even as the country prepares to defend its two Olympic team titles next month.
