India's Chess Teams Triumph in Round 3 of 46th Chess Olympiad

In the 46th Chess Olympiad, the Indian men's team triumphed over Italy with a 3-1 score, while the women's team dominated Greece with a 3.5-0.5 victory. Key players like D Gukesh and Nihal Sarin led the men's team, while Koneru Humpy shone for the women. With eight rounds left, India's next matches will be crucial for their tournament success. Discover more about their performances and upcoming challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 19, 2026, 09:11 IST

Victorious Indian Teams in Round 3

In the ongoing 46th Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand, the Indian men's team achieved a commendable 3-1 victory against Italy, while the women's team also secured a win against Greece in their third round matches.

Men's Team Highlights

The standout performances from world champion D Gukesh and Nihal Sarin were pivotal in India's triumph over an all-Grandmaster Italian team, as reported by ESPN. Despite R Praggnanandhaa's inability to secure a win against Lorenzo Lodici for the second consecutive day, the victories by Nihal and Gukesh ensured a successful outcome. Nihal defeated Francesco Sonis, and Gukesh showcased his skills by overcoming Sabino Brunello, returning to form after previous setbacks. Arjun Erigaisi managed to hold his ground, securing a draw.

Women's Team Excellence

Koneru Humpy delivered an impressive performance for the women's team, decisively defeating Stavroula Tsolakidou. Chess World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh held her opponent Anastasia Avramidou to a draw, while Vantika Agrawal triumphed over Ekaterini Pavlidou. B Savitha Shri completed the match with a hat-trick of wins by defeating Antonia Christodoulaki.

Looking Ahead in the Tournament

With eight rounds remaining in this 11-round tournament, the upcoming matches will be crucial for determining the progress of the top teams. India’s performance in the next three rounds will be vital for their chances in the competition. Notably, India had previously clinched gold medals in both the open and women's sections during the 2024 Chess Olympiad.

Round 3 Results

- Round 3 Open Results: India defeated Italy (R Praggnanandhaa drew with Lorenzo Lodici; Arjun Erigaisi drew with Luca Moroni Jr.; Nihal Sarin won against Francesco Sonis; D Gukesh won against Sabino Brunello).

- Women's Results: India triumphed over Greece (Koneru Humpy won against Stavroula Tsolakidou; Divya Deshmukh drew with Anastasia Avramidou; Vantika Agrawal won against Ekaterini Pavlidou; B Savitha Shri won against Antonia Christodoulaki).