Savitha Shri wins individual gold at Chess Olympiad

International Master Savitha Shri Baskar, 19, won India's only individual gold medal at the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, scoring 9/10 on Board 5. She went unbeaten with eight wins and two draws, helping the women's team clinch bronze. The Indian open team won silver, and India received the Nona Gaprindashvili Cup for the best side overall.

Times of India reports that most of her games featured multiple inaccuracies, though her fighting spirit was praised by Koneru Humpy. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Savitha said she 'swindled' her opponents and called her fighting ability her strength. She had considered quitting chess after her rating dropped, sponsors dried up and tournament invitations stopped. She credited a mindset shift for her turnaround. Judit Polgar had messaged her before the tournament: 'This is your chance.'

Indian Express reports that the contingent has mixed feelings, as both teams could not defend their gold medals from Budapest 2024. The women lost to Poland, the men lost to Uzbekistan. Captain Swayams Mishra told Times of India that if India won a medal, 'we owe it to her.' Savitha now gears up for the World Juniors in pursuit of the Grandmaster title, The Hindu reports.

Update, 4 October 2026: The Hindu reports Savitha described her performance as 'amazing' and named her win against Kazakhstan's Elnaz Kaliakhmet as her best match. Indian Express reports the contingent's mixed feelings about not defending both golds, with Vidit Gujrathi saying Budapest 2024 set an 'unrealistic benchmark.' The Hindu also reports Savitha now gears up for the World Juniors in pursuit of the Grandmaster title.