The first day of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand has concluded. 73 national teams finished the first round with a score of 4-0. The teams of 🇧🇼 Botswana and 🇧🇷 Brazil finished their matches in draws with a score of 2-2.

Team 🇮🇳 India defeated team 🇹🇭 Thailand with a score of 3-1. Arjun Erigaisi lost to IM Prin Laohawirapap by blundering a checkmate on move 50.

The teams of 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan, 🇨🇳 China, and 🇩🇪 Germany defeated their opponents 4-0. Team 🇺🇸 United States defeated team 🇮🇶 Iraq 3.5-0.5.

The Chess Olympiad 2026 takes place from September 16 to 27 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Time control for the event is Classical 90+0 for the first 40 moves and 30+30 for the rest of the game over 11 Swiss rounds. Teams earn 2 points for winning a match, 1 for drawing, and 0 for losing.

Credit: Michal Walusza / FIDE