India Shines at Chess Olympiad 2026: Silver Medal for Men's Team

The 46th Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand saw India’s men's team clinch a silver medal, while the women's team secured bronze. Uzbekistan triumphed in the men's section, marking their second gold medal in history. The tournament concluded with thrilling matches, including a tense draw between India and Hungary. Despite not defending their title, India's performance was commendable, finishing with a total of 18 match points. The women's team also made their mark, achieving a bronze medal against Georgia. This event showcased the growing prowess of Indian chess on the international stage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 28, 2026, 14:21 IST

Samarkand Hosts Successful Chess Olympiad

Samarkand: At the 46th Chess Olympiad 2026, the host nation Uzbekistan claimed the gold medal in the open section for men, while India secured the silver medal. In the final round held in Samarkand, India faced Hungary, resulting in a 2-2 draw. With this outcome, India finished in second place with a total of 18 match points.

Uzbekistan Makes History on Home Turf

Uzbekistan clinched the title by defeating Ukraine 2.5-1.5 in the last round. This victory marked Uzbekistan's second gold medal in the men's category at the Chess Olympiad, having previously won the title in 2022 in Chennai.

The host team showcased consistent strength throughout the tournament, finishing at the top of the standings with 20 match points after 11 rounds. India secured second place with 18 points, while Germany also achieved 18 points but lost the silver to India based on tie-break criteria.

Thrilling Final Round Between India and Hungary

The final round was a challenging affair for India. The match against Hungary saw intense competition across all four boards, ending in a 2-2 tie.

For India, Arjun Erigaisi triumphed over Peter Leko, while reigning world champion D. Gukesh faced defeat against Hungary's Gleb Dudiny. The matches between R. Praggnanandhaa and Richard Rapport, as well as Nihal Sarin and Benjamin Gledura, ended in draws.

India's Title Quest Ends, Yet Silver Medal is a Major Achievement

Entering the Olympiad as the defending champions, India's campaign for a consecutive gold medal concluded with the final round draw. However, the team proudly finished with a silver medal, accumulating a total of 18 match points over 11 rounds.

Uzbekistan won the gold medal with 20 match points. Both India and Germany finished with 18 points, but India secured second place through tie-breaks, leaving Germany with the bronze medal.

India Also Medals in Women's Section

In the 2026 Chess Olympiad, India achieved medals in both the men's and women's categories. The women's team earned a bronze medal after drawing 2-2 against Georgia, securing third place based on tie-breaks. China won the gold medal in the women's section, while Kazakhstan took home the silver.

Thus, the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand concluded for India with two medals: the men's team secured silver, and the women's team won bronze, while the host nation Uzbekistan claimed gold in the men's category.