India finished with a silver medal in the Open section and a bronze medal in the women’s category at the 46th Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand after both teams produced strong campaigns at the global tournament.
In the Open competition, hosts Uzbekistan won the gold medal, securing their second Olympiad title on home soil. Germany took the bronze.
India drew 2-2 with Hungary in the final round. World champion Gukesh Dommaraju lost to Hungary’s GM Gleb Dudin, but GM Arjun Erigaisi defeated GM Peter Leko to help India secure the match draw and finish second.
Uzbekistan sealed the gold medal with a 2.5-1.5 victory over Ukraine. GM Mukhiddin Madaminov delivered the decisive result for the hosts by defeating GM Roman Dehtiarov.
The Uzbek team ended the tournament two points ahead of India and Germany. India claimed second place on tiebreaks, while Germany secured third after overcoming the Netherlands 2.5-1.5. GM Matthias Bluebaum defeated GM Jorden van Foreest in that match.
India’s women’s team also reached the podium after drawing 2-2 with Georgia in a closely fought final-round contest.
IM Savitha Shri played a key role by holding a draw against Georgia’s IM Meri Arabidze from a difficult position. The result ensured India’s bronze medal.
China won the women’s gold after beating Vietnam 3-1, while Kazakhstan took silver following a 2-2 draw with Poland. China finished two points clear at the top to secure their seventh Women’s Chess Olympiad gold medal.
India finished ahead of the United States, Poland, Armenia and Mongolia on tiebreaks to claim the women’s bronze medal.
Follow us
