India to Face Thailand and Dominican Republic in Round 1

by Rasika Ratnaparkhi - 16/09/2026

The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad officially opened in Samarkand yesterday. This will be the largest edition in the event's history. The fixed board order is also out. In Round 1, India's Open team takes on Thailand, while the Women's team faces the Dominican Republic. The round starts at 3 PM local time (3:30 PM IST).

Photo: Abhyudaya Ram

The wait is over!

And just like that, it's here! The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad officially opened in Samarkand. This edition is already historic before the games start, with around 400 teams competing. This is the largest in the event's history! 208 teams will take part in the Open section, while 191 will compete in the Women's section.

Check out the photos from the Opening Ceremony:

Opening Ceremony of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad. | Video: ChessBase India

The fixed board order is out. Here is how India lines up:

Open

Praggnanandhaa
Arjun Erigaisi
Nihal Sarin
Gukesh Dommaraju
Vidit Gujrathi

Women

Koneru Humpy
Vaishali Rameshbabu
Divya Deshmukh
Vantika Agrawal
Savitha Shri B

IM Sagar Shah explains the Indian Board Order for the Olympiad. | Video: ChessBase India

India's Open team takes on Thailand, while the Women's team faces the Dominican Republic in Round 1.

India's Open team board order for Round 1. | Source: Chessresults

India's Women's team board order for Round 1. | Source: Chessresults

Official venue for the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad. | Source: Olympchess

This is the playing hall for the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad.

IM Sagar Shah gives a complete venue tour. | Video: ChessBase India

Travelling to Samarkand for the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad. | Video: ChessBase India

Format

System: Swiss format, 11 rounds

Team size: 5 players per squad, 4 play each round

Time control: 90 min for 40 moves + 30 min for the rest, with a 30-sec increment from move 1

Check out the Olympiad schedule. | Photo: FIDE

Round 1 starts today at 3:30 PM IST.

Full lists of teams are published on the official website:

Check out Open Teams

Check out Women Teams

Photo gallery

Video gallery

Important links

Official website

Tournament regulations

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