India took silver at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, edging out gold after a showdown that saw Gukesh clinch a 9‑point Board‑4 medal.
The drama began weeks earlier when captain Srinath Narayanan revealed his controversial board order, dropping reigning world champion Gukesh from the top spot to board four after a slump in Chennai.
Gukesh opened with a blistering 7‑win streak, only stung by Hungary’s Gleb Dudin in the final round, yet his 9‑point haul still earned him silver—his best result in a major event since 2024’s Budapest triumph.
With the world‑championship rematch against Javokhir Sindarov looming, Narayanan sees Gukesh’s mental resurgence as a clear advantage, while the team’s camaraderie and rigorous training schedule promise a strong base for future contests.