Fabiano Caruana shared his thoughts on Team USA’s chances at the 46th Chess Olympiad. Caruana says his team is in good form, and notes changes in the lineup for the 2026 event.

Fabiano Caruana

Fabiano Caruana

USA's No. 1

“I wouldn’t say we’re big favorites. Looking at last time, we got the silver medal. India just dominated. There’s actually not much we could have done with how strong India played last time.

The team changed slightly, but not so much. Last time there was Leinier Dominguez and Ray Robson instead of Hans Niemann and Awonder Liang. But last time we were super strong.

Just some things didn’t work out in a few matches, against Ukraine, then against India later in the tournament… But it was already getting tough to fight back.

This time I do feel that we’re in good form. We have a good chance.”

At the 2024 edition of the Olympiad, the United States team finished second, losing to India by 4 match points. Levon Aronian received an individual silver medal for his performance on board four. The USA has won the Olympiad six times, in 2016 and 1976, and four times in a row from 1931 to 1937.

The Chess Olympiad is a prestigious national team competition. The event is held every two years and organized by FIDE. The 2026 event will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 28.

Credit: Lennart Ootes