By Chess Olympiad 2026 begins in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with a record 400 teams competing. India, led by Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi, aims to defend its title.
Chess Olympiad 2026 Begins in Samarkand
The much-awaited Chess Olympiad 2026 has arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, bringing together the world’s strongest national chess teams for one of the biggest events on the international chess calendar. The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad runs from September 15 to September 27, with the opening ceremony and activities beginning before the first competitive round on September 16.
This year’s edition is already making history, with 400 teams confirmed across the Open and Women’s sections. The field includes 208 Open teams and 192 Women’s teams, surpassing the previous record of 380 teams at the 2024 Budapest Olympiad.
India Begins Its Gold Medal Defence
India enters the 2026 Chess Olympiad with huge expectations after winning gold in both the Open and Women’s sections at Budapest 2024. The Indian Open team features some of the biggest names in modern chess, including D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi.
Gukesh will be one of the biggest attractions in Samarkand. The reigning world champion delivered a remarkable performance at the 2024 Olympiad, and Indian fans will be watching closely to see whether he can once again make a major contribution to India’s title defence.
Strong Competition for India
India faces strong competition from several leading chess nations. The United States is the top seed in the Open section, followed closely by defending champion India, host nation Uzbekistan and China. The small differences in team ratings underline how competitive the tournament is expected to be.
Uzbekistan will also be one of the teams to watch, with stars such as Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Abdusattorov leading the home challenge. Sindarov’s presence adds extra interest because he is scheduled to face Gukesh later this year in the World Championship match.
India’s Women’s Team Also Among Favourites
India’s Women’s team enters the tournament as the top seed, with a powerful lineup featuring Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Vantika Agrawal and Savitha Shri. The team will aim to repeat its gold-medal success from 2024.
A Record-Breaking Chess Event
With hundreds of teams, elite grandmasters and rising young talents competing, the Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand promises to be a major celebration of international chess. The combination of India’s title defence, strong home support for Uzbekistan and several world-class players makes this year’s Olympiad one of the most anticipated chess events of 2026.
Conclusion
The Chess Olympiad 2026 is set to deliver intense battles across the boards as India begins its quest for another gold medal. With Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and other stars representing India, chess fans around the world will be watching Samarkand closely over the next two weeks.
