PM Modi Congratulates Indian Chess Players on Olympiad Success
India wins Open silver, Women’s bronze and retains Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy in Samarkand
- India won silver in the Open section.
- Indian women secured bronze.
- India retained the Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy.
- PM Modi praised the players’ passion and determination.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 28th Sept: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Indian chess players following their strong showing at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where India secured medals in both the Open and Women’s sections.
The Indian Open team finished with the silver medal, while the Women’s team secured bronze, giving India a double podium finish at the tournament. India also retained the Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy, awarded for the best combined performance across the Open and Women’s sections.
This was the third consecutive edition in which India won the Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy. India had previously claimed the honour at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai and the 2024 edition in Budapest, where the country won gold in both sections.
In the final round of the Open section, India drew 2-2 with Hungary. World champion D Gukesh was defeated by Hungary’s Gleb Dudin, while Arjun Erigaisi defeated Peter Leko. The result secured India second place, with Uzbekistan winning the gold on home soil.
In the Women’s section, India drew 2-2 with Georgia in the final round and finished with the bronze medal.
The tournament also saw India maintain its position as the only nation to finish on the podium in both the Open and Women’s sections at the 2026 Olympiad.
The 46th Chess Olympiad concluded in Samarkand on Sunday, with Uzbekistan winning the Open title on home soil. Germany took the bronze in the Open section, while India received the silver medals.
Congratulating the Indian contingent, Prime Minister Modi praised the players’ determination and said their performance could encourage more young people to take up chess.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Congratulations to our Chess players! Their passion and determination are exemplary.
May these successes motivate several more youngsters to play chess and excel.”
The Prime Minister’s message came a day after India’s medal-winning performance at the Samarkand Olympiad.
