Things didn't quite go to plan for defending champions India in the Open section of the FIDE Olympiad 2026, even as they to beat Thailand 3-1, because Arjun Erigaisi lost to Prin Laohawirapap in a bit of a setback.
India's top-ranked player at the moment, R Praggnanandhaa was rested for this match, so Arjun took over on board 1, with Nihal Sarin on 2, Gukesh Dommaraju on 3, and Vidit Gujrathi. Game points could matter later in this tournament, so Arjun's loss to Laohawirapap could make a difference to India's final position in the standings.
India's first point on the board came through Nihal, who was in complete control right off the opening with the black pieces against Thanadon Kulpruethanon, and converted that without much hassle. On board 3, world champion Gukesh too was in little trouble, as he secured an easy victory against Faris Rashid Alriyami. Vidit also did his job without much fuss, beating Tupfah Khumnorkaew.
Uzbekistan began their home Olympiad in style in the Open section, as they beat Jamaica 4-0, but in some respite for India, the USA dropped half a point too. Levon Aronian drew against Iraq's Ali Ehsan Aryan, as the top seeds too had a minor stumble in their opening round.
India's result in Round 1 - Open section
India 3-1 Thailand
Arjun Erigaisi 0-1 Prin Laohawirapap
Nihal Sarin 1-0 Thanadon Kulpruethanon
Gukesh Dommaraju 1-0 Faris Rashid Alriyami
Vidit Gujrathi 1-0 Tupfah Khumnorkaew
Women's team begin defence of title in style
The Indian women's team, on the other hand, had no hiccups in round 1, as they swept through their four-game tie against the Dominican Republic with a 4-0 scoreline. Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali and Savitha Shri Baskar won their games easily, but Vantika Agrawal had a bit of a struggle on board 3.
Vantika, promoted up to board 3, with Divya Deshmukh resting, played out a largely even game against Mary Gonzalez, but at the end, Gonzalez blundered on move 45, offering Vantika a trade of queens, and an easy route to pawn promotion, as the defending champions began in perfect fashion.
India's result in Round 1 - Women's section
India 4-0 Dominican Republic
Koneru Humpy 1-0 Franchesca Ramirez
R Vaishali 1-0 Miguelina De La Rosa Martinez
Vantika Agrawal 1-0 Mary Gonzalez
Savita Shri Baskar 1-0 Karla Mya Nunez Diaz
