India began its
The women’s side, entering the tournament as defending champions, showcased their strength by securing a comprehensive 4-0 win.
Men's Team Navigates Early Stumble
In the open section, the Indian men’s team managed to secure the expected match victory against Thailand, but the day was marred by a significant upset on the top board. Arjun Erigaisi, playing with the white pieces, suffered a defeat at the hands of Prin Laohawirapap, a player rated 396 Elo points his junior. The contest turned against the Indian star as he battled time pressure, eventually committing a critical error on the 50th move by placing his queen on the wrong square. He resigned four moves later.
Despite the setback on the top board, the rest of the Indian lineup remained composed. Nihal Sarin, D. Gukesh, and Vidit Gujrathi all secured victories to ensure the team walked away with a 3-1 result. Notably, India’s top-board player, R. Praggnanandhaa, was rested for the opening round.
Tournament Context and Opening Day Developments
The Chess Olympiad, where India is the defending champion in both the open and women’s categories, saw several other nations make strong starts. Heavyweights including the USA, Uzbekistan, China, Germany, and Azerbaijan all recorded victories in the open section. In the women’s division, teams such as Uzbekistan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, China, and Ukraine also maintained perfect records with 4-0 wins.
The opening day was also marked by a political development, as Pakistan opted not to play against Israel, resulting in a 0-4 walkover. As the tournament progresses, India will look to build on its opening momentum while addressing the vulnerabilities exposed during the first round of play.
