India Open 2026 Chess Olympiad With 3-1 Win Over Thailand

India began the 2026 Chess Olympiad with a 3-1 victory over Thailand in the Open section, while the defending women’s champions made an even stronger start by sweeping Dominican Republic 4-0 in Round 1.

The Open result featured three Indian wins but also an unexpected defeat for Arjun Erigaisi. Prin Laohawirapap beat Erigaisi on the first listed board, ensuring Thailand took a point from the tie despite India’s overall success.

Nihal Sarin, Gukesh Dommaraju and Vidit Gujrathi supplied the other three results for India. Their victories turned the match in India’s favour and delivered a winning opening-round scoreline.

Open team recovers from Erigaisi defeat

Erigaisi lost 0-1 to Laohawirapap, but India responded with wins across the remaining three boards. Nihal beat Thanadon Kulpruethanon 1-0, Gukesh defeated Faris Rashid Alriyami 1-0, and Vidit overcame Tupfah Khumnorkaew 1-0.

Gukesh’s victory was particularly notable after concerns over his form had formed part of the discussion around India’s preparations for the Olympiad. His point, alongside those from Nihal and Vidit, gave India a clear 3-1 result against Thailand.

The opening round also brought a minor setback for the United States, who dropped half a point. Uzbekistan, playing their home Olympiad, started the Open competition with a 4-0 win against Jamaica. Levon Aronian drew with Iraq’s Ali Ehsan Aryan as the top seeds did not complete a perfect opening-round score.

India’s result placed the emphasis on the depth of the side after the loss on Erigaisi’s board. With three players recording wins, the team secured the match and moved on from the only defeat in its first tie.

The board-by-board outcome against Thailand was: Erigaisi 0-1 Laohawirapap, Nihal 1-0 Kulpruethanon, Gukesh 1-0 Alriyami and Vidit 1-0 Khumnorkaew. It was a productive start overall, even if the result included a surprise reversal for Erigaisi.

Women’s champions make perfect start

India’s women opened their title defence in perfect fashion, beating Dominican Republic 4-0. Koneru Humpy defeated Franchesca Ramirez, R Vaishali beat Miguelina De La Rosa Martinez, Vantika Agrawal overcame Mary Gonzalez, and Savita Shri Baskar defeated Karla Mya Nunez Diaz.

Humpy, Vaishali and Savita won their games easily, according to the round report. Vantika’s game was the closest of the four. Promoted to board three with Divya Deshmukh resting, Vantika played a largely even game against Gonzalez before the decisive moment arrived late.

Gonzalez blundered on move 45, offering a queen trade that gave Vantika an easy route to pawn promotion. Vantika converted the opportunity for a 1-0 victory, completing the four-point sweep.

The result gives India’s women the start expected of the defending champions, while the Open side also emerged from Round 1 with a win. India therefore collected two team victories on the opening day: a 3-1 success against Thailand in the Open section and a 4-0 victory over Dominican Republic in the women’s competition.