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Chess Olympiad 2026: Uzbekistan stun reigning champions India 2.5-1.5 in open section; Indian women edge past USA
The reigning champion Indian open team suffered its first setback of the 46th Chess Olympiad on Monday, going down 1.5-2.5 to a spirited Uzbekistan side in the sixth round in what had been billed as the first clash of the titans of the tournament. The defeat cost India the lead in the open section, while in the women’s section the Indian team appeared poised to bounce back, holding a 2-1 lead against the USA.
Yakubboev delivers the decisive blow
The pivotal moment of the match came on the third board, where Nodirbek Yakubboev overcame Nihal Sarin. Sarin had produced a string of impressive performances in the rounds leading into this clash, but on the day he was unable to match the Uzbek’s precision. The Indian slipped tactically, and Yakubboev capitalised on the unforced errors. Once he sealed a queen-versus-two-pieces endgame, the result was never seriously in doubt, and Sarin had little room to salvage the game.
The remaining three boards ended in draws. R Praggnanandhaa held Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Arjun Erigaisi drew with Javokhir Sindarov, and on the fourth board D Gukesh was held by Shamsiddin Vokhidov, leaving the Uzbeks to celebrate a narrow but significant victory.
Uzbekistan take sole lead as India slip to second
The result reshaped the top of the open section standings. Uzbekistan moved to 12 points and now stand as the sole leader, while India remained on 10 points and must work their way back into contention over the remaining rounds. India’s task was made no easier by results elsewhere: overnight leaders Germany were beaten by China, clearing the way for Uzbekistan to stand alone at the top.
| Team | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Uzbekistan | 12 | Sole leader |
| India | 10 | Chasing the lead |
Indian women lead USA 2-1
In the women’s section, India looked set to return to winning ways against the United States. Koneru Humpy drew her game, as did Divya Deshmukh, while Savitha Shri provided the sole victory of the match to put the Indian team 2-1 up. A win over the USA would represent a timely response for the Indian women, who likewise face the need to gather momentum in the rounds ahead.
Key takeaways from round six
- Uzbekistan defeated the reigning champions India 2.5-1.5 in the open section.
- Nodirbek Yakubboev beat Nihal Sarin on the third board; the other three games were drawn.
- Uzbekistan now lead the open section with 12 points; India are on 10.
- Former overnight leaders Germany lost to China.
- The Indian women led the USA 2-1, with Savitha Shri scoring the only win; Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh drew.
With the open section now headed by the hosts, the reigning champions face an uphill battle to reclaim ground, and both Indian teams will need strong finishes in the remaining rounds of the 46th Chess Olympiad.
Source
This report is based on information published by The Bridge — Chess.
Official source: https://thebridge.in/chess/olympiad-2026-india-lose-uzbekistan-57725
