Thai IM Upsets Indian Number-2 As Favorites Prevail
The 46th Chess Olympiad has commenced with favorites largely dominating, though Thai IM Prin Laohawirapap secured a notable upset against India's Arjun Erigaisi. Several top-ranked players, including Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, are absent from this year's tournament.
Why it matters
The Chess Olympiad is the premier international team event in the sport, and the absence of top stars significantly impacts the competitive landscape.
39 | Chess Event Coverage The favorites won in round one of the 46th Chess Olympiad 2026 , but there were a number of shocking individual upsets. Thai IM Prin Laohawirapap 's win against Indian super-GM Arjun Erigaisi is the Game of the Day, while Iraqi CM Ali Ehsan Aryan 's draw against American super-GM Levon Aronian was the only other upset against a 2700-rated grandmaster.
The favorites dominated even more clearly on day one of the 2026 FIDE Women's Chess Olympiad , with 4-0 clean sweeps for nine of the top-10 teams - only Germany was made to sweat by Malta, seeded 104th, before taking a 3-1 win. 11-year-old FM Bodhana Sivanandan and 63-year-old GM Pia Cramling were among the notable players leading their teams, England and Sweden, to 4-0 wins.
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