A Tale of Two Medals
The final day of the 2026 Chess Olympiad was a nail-biter, but India emerged with significant honours. The Open team clinched a coveted silver medal, while the Women's team brought home a hard-fought bronze. This dual success underscored the nation's
incredible depth of talent. The combined performance of both teams was so strong that India retained the prestigious Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy for the third consecutive Olympiad, an award given to the best-performing nation across both the Open and Women's sections. It's a testament to consistency and excellence, proving that India's chess revolution is not just about individual stars but about formidable teams.
Open Team's Silver Lining
The Indian Open team's journey to silver was a dramatic one. Going into the final round, they needed a solid performance and got one with a 2-2 draw against a tough Hungarian squad. This result, secured after a tense battle, was enough to place them second in the final standings. A crucial victory by Arjun Erigaisi over veteran Peter Leko helped balance the scales after World Champion D Gukesh suffered a rare defeat on his board. The hosts, Uzbekistan, put on a stellar performance to capture the gold medal, finishing two points clear of India and Germany, who took the bronze. For the Indian men, silver represents a powerful statement of their continued presence at the top of world chess.
Women's Team Secures a Fighting Bronze
The Indian women's team also had to dig deep in their final match, securing a 2-2 draw against Georgia to land on the podium. This bronze medal was earned through sheer grit, particularly in the final round. Koneru Humpy scored a vital win on the top board against Nana Dzagnidze, while teenager Savitha Shri B played a heroic defensive game for six hours to salvage a crucial draw from a difficult position, ensuring the team's medal. China was the dominant force in the women's event, taking a clear gold, with Kazakhstan securing the silver. India's ability to grind out a result under immense pressure highlighted the team's resilient character.
A Haul of Individual Brilliance
Beyond the team medals, several Indian players were recognised for their outstanding individual performances throughout the tournament. Six players earned individual board medals, showcasing the depth of talent across the lineup. The breakout star was 19-year-old Savitha Shri B, who, in her debut Olympiad, won an individual gold medal for her performance on the reserve board, remaining unbeaten through 10 games. Other individual medalists included Divya Deshmukh (silver), and Koneru Humpy and Vantika Agrawal who both won bronze medals. In the Open section, R Praggnanandhaa secured a bronze on the top board, while D Gukesh bagged a silver, capping a phenomenal tournament for him personally despite a final-round loss.
