India clinched silver at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, edging out hosts Uzbekistan with a narrow margin, as Nihal Sarin contributed a 6‑point performance.
Sarin’s 6/9 came after a blistering start, netting victories against Thailand, Indonesia and Italy before a disastrous queen blunder in round six against Uzbekistan rattled his rhythm. The 88‑move loss proved the tournament’s turning point and forced him to regroup.
When a troll urged him to "play for Pakistan," Sarin shot back with a three‑word jab, "on board 0?"—a sarcastic nod to his role as India’s third‑board star and a reminder that he already dominates the lineup.
India’s open side finished second behind the hosts, adding silver to a growing list of international successes that will boost confidence heading into the Asian Games and future world championships.
The squad now turns its sights to the 2027 World Chess Championship, with Sarin eyeing a potential top‑ten finish.