The Indian team has come out to defend its title in the ongoing Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In 2024, the Indian team became champion in both open and women's categories. In the Open, India won the title by scoring 21 points out of a possible 22, in which D Gukesh played a very important role. Gukesh had scored 9 points out of 10.
After the Olympiad, he also performed strongly in the World Championship and created a record of becoming the youngest world champion by defeating Ding Liren of China. Now India once again has high hopes from Gukesh in the Olympiad. After this, Gukesh also has to defend his title in the World Championship, considering which the Olympiad is going to be very important for him.
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World Championship will start on 24th November
The World Chess Championship will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 24 November to 12 December. Gukesh's recent form has not been that good. In such a situation, Chess Olympiad is a golden opportunity for them to prepare for the World Championship. Here he may also face World Championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov. In Samarkand, both these young players can show a glimpse of their preparation.
Will Gukesh-Sindarov compete in the Olympiad?
Uzbekistan's Sindarov has become Gukesh's challenger in the World Championship by winning the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. Before facing each other in Geneva, both these players can also face each other in Chess Olympiad. This is because India and Uzbekistan are among the top seed teams. There is a possibility that Gukesh and Sindarov may face each other in the later rounds. However, it will be important to see whether Gukesh and Sindarov are selected to play on the same board when there is a match between India and Uzbekistan.
Actually, Chess Olympiad is a team competition. 4 players play from a team in a match. When India faces Uzbekistan, Gukesh can be fielded in front of Sindarov or any other player.
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How is Gukesh's record against Sindarov?
Gukesh and Sindarov have faced each other thrice in the classical format, with the Uzbekistani leading 1-0. 2 matches have been drawn. In the World Championship, these two players will play in 14 classical rounds.